Paul George Says Cavaliers Are Eastern Conference Frontrunners
Indiana Pacers star Paul George is currently spending his time with USA Basketball, playing post-practice one-on-games with Kevin Durant and James Harden as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup. George took some time to speak with Brian Windhorst of ESPN, touching on his Pacers, losing his buddy Lance Stephenson in free agency, added pressure, and even thoughts on LeBron’s move back to the Cleveland Cavaliers:
With Lance being gone and everyone thinking this is going to be a rebuilding year for us, immediately when LeBron went to Cleveland, that made them the front-runners.
I won’t agree with George’s claim until the Cavaliers officially acquire Kevin Love, which seems imminent. George also spoke on new teammate Rodney Stuckey, who the Pacers signed to a one-year deal after losing Stephenson to Charlotte,
Stuckey is going to be a player that changes his whole career around. He’s a system guy that fits right into what we do. He plays defense, he knows how to play the pick-and-roll. Stuckey is going to step right into [Stephenson’s] role.
Stuckey isn’t necessarily the sizable defender or creative playmaker that Stephenson was, but being a “system guy” as George explained is probably more conducive to what the Pacers want to be.
George made recent comments about his desire to play more physical and spend more time in the post next season, an admirable and appropriate adjustment if he’s to take the next step in leading the Indiana Pacers. One thing is for sure, he feels the pressure to step up,
The eyes are on me this year. I’ve got a lot of pressure and I’m coming into this year ready to live up to that pressure.
