Indiana Pacers star Paul George has had a good year, but the Pacers have underwhelmed. George, who has been an All-NBA player in three of his last four seasons, believes that his play warrants another All-NBA selection, though his primary focus is making the playoffs. From Joe Noga of Cleveland.com:
“I’ll be happy at the end of the year making a playoff spot,” he said. “If my performance lands me All-NBA, which I think I’m deserving, I’ll be happy, but right now my focus is on getting in the playoffs.”
This season, George has averaged a career-high 23.2 points to go with 6.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. George is also shooting career-best marks from the floor (45.3 percent) and the foul line (90.1 percent).
The Pacers have struggled in recent games; they’ve lost four straight, including a heart-breaking double-overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. George had 42 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in that loss.
The Pacers are currently tied with Miami Heat for eighth in the East. The Heat’s schedule over their remaining five games is absolutely brutal, so the Pacers have a good shot of passing them and making the playoffs. They’re going to have to start winning games, though. That’s George’s focus.
