The Indiana Pacers playing a smaller, faster lineup with Paul George at power forward has been discussed at length during the offseason, and it’s that much closer to a reality. Head coach Frank Vogel spoke to Candice Buckner of the Indy Star on Thursday and rolled out a potential starting lineup.
“An idea on paper is to have a starting lineup of George Hill, Monta Ellis, C.J. Miles, Paul George and Ian Mahinmi,” said Vogel.
a P.S. on the PG to 4 intel, Vogel says PG “looks decidedly more healthy & explosive than he did the last time you all saw him in Memphis”
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
Then, after Vogel made the notion as close to official as possible, George reacted:
Paul George now on @JMV1070 about his new PF role: “I’m not thrilled on it.”
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
Paul George: “I don’t have a problem doing it. I told them I’m open to the change…
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
More PG: “…If it works, it works. If it doesn’t lets get me back to playing on the perimeter.” — Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
For the record, George should know that playing power forward won’t keep him from playing on the perimeter. In fact, that is the exact advantage of playing guys like George, Carmelo, and LeBron at that position, to create mismatches. More from George, via Buckner:
“That’s kinda new to me. We talked about it some, (but) for him to say it in the papers, I guess he’s pretty confident on me starting as the power forward. So that was new to me. “I don’t think I’m at that point in my career where I should be changing positions. I think guys do that later in their career. They put on weight, (begin) lacking physical attributes as far as being quick, so I don’t necessarily feel the need to play a different position, especially coming back into a new season and starting fresh again. So it’s a change, it’s definitely a change. We’ll see how it goes.”
Being that the Pacers do have a new look — their starting front court of David West and Roy Hibbert are both gone — change is necessary. Though it’s a big adjustment, it could present progressive benefits.
PG: “I’m not going to knock it like it’s just totally a terrible decision. I see the positives in it.” — Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
George is saying the right things and just being honest. He hasn’t been in this situation before so he can only speak on what he knows and believes. I believe that this is the best thing for George and the Pacers. It’s time for them to catch up with the league trend and start thinking more offensively with more tempo and perimeter spacing. The best way to sell George on it is for him to start witnessing the benefits during training camp.
