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NBA: 5 Superstars Poised For Career Years In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) looks on during the game against the Chicago Bulls at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 115-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Paul George

The Indiana Pacers spent their summer trading defense for offense, and the results are sure to be polarizing either way. Can Jeff Teague replicate his career high three-point percentage from last year? What will Al Jefferson provide in a sixth man role? Can Nate McMillan upgrade Frank Vogel’s lackluster offense to turn Indiana back into an Eastern contender?

These are all important questions, and perhaps the most important of the bunch is how Myles Turner will replace Ian Mahinmi as the anchor on the defensive end. But for the Pacers, their aspirations of challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East start and end with Paul George.

In his triumphant comeback season last year, PG-13 put up a blistering 27.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game on .458/.451/.850 shooting splits through November…before slumping back to earth with 22.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game on .407/.351/.863 shooting from then on.

On the season, George averaged 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game. In a more up-tempo offense with Teague to set him up and Thaddeus Young to take some of the pressure off PG-13 with his timely slashes to the rim, the Pacers’ offense should be in store for a vast upgrade.

Indiana’s defense is expected to take a step backward, and that imbalance could prevent the Pacers from taking their first step back toward contention. But at the very least, George could be poised for the best statistical output of his career in his age-26 season.