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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Time Statistics Are Tough To Ignore

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) defends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) defends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Position: Small Forward
Age: 26 (5/2/1990)
Experience: 7th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .452/.379/.918
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 22.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.7 SPG, 2.3 3PM

The Indiana Pacers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA and a resurgent Paul George has been the leader of the push. He’s overcome early fatigue from the Olympics and developed a better understanding of the offensive system.

As the Pacers continue to ascend the Eastern Conference standings, George has inevitably rediscovered his place as one of the Top 20 players in the NBA.

George led the Pacers to a stretch of seven wins in eight games, thus pushing the Pacers to six games above .500. He began this past week with 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals during a 106-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

He followed with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting in a blowout of the Detroit Pistons, and picked up 21 points and eight rebounds in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Indiana lost to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but George tallied 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block. It was yet another display of what George is getting back to: two-way brilliance and immense value.

Jeff Teague and Myles Turner may be the team leaders in win shares, but the Pacers weren’t actually winning until George reclaimed his star status.