The Pacers and star forward Paul George have endured a trying season. George spoke about the early part of the season leaving him in a “dark place” mentally as the team adjusted to a new coach. The Pacers, despite making a myriad of moves this offseason, are stuck at a record of 29-28 entering the All-Star Break. After winning seven games in a row and seemingly turning a corner, the Pacers discouragingly dropped six in a row going heading into the break. With expectations higher after this offseason, the lack of success is leaving Paul George’s future in doubt.
On ESPN Radio’s “Meet the All-Stars” George discussed the Pacer’s season and his impending future. Indiana team President Larry Bird and openly shown his commitment to signing Paul George to a long-term contract, but the two may not be on the same wavelength. George has been noncommittal about signing long-term with the Pacers and has recently told ESPN’s Marc Stein that winning is critically important.
“As I told Larry, I always want to play on a winning team. I always want to be part of a team that has a chance to win it [all]. That’s important. Say what you want; I want to compete for something. It’s frustrating just playing the game for stats or for numbers or to showcase yourself. Man, I want a chance to play for a chance to win a championship.
Team chemistry has been a wavering issue with Indiana too. That was once again a subject of discussion on the “Meet the All-Stars” broadcast when George talked about his time in Rio with Team USA during the Olympics. George to ESPN’s PJ Carlisimo:
“I wear the Olympic ring on my chain because that’s the best I’ve felt part of a team. All the superstars, and we all figured out how to play with one another so quick. I tried to bring that to the team (Indiana) this year…again we are still trying to get to that point.”
This isn’t necessarily an indictment on the Pacers locker room, but it is unsettling to hear him reiterate that his current experience in Indiana is sub-par. The Pacers want to be active at the trading deadline, going so far as to dangle their first-round pick in order to get some help for George. The next few months will give us a good indication if Paul George’s time in Indiana may be coming to an end.
