Brunt: Time for Paul George to take over as the man for the Pacers
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
If money doesn’t grow on trees, why is there a giant redwood with dollars all over it standing in front of Paul George?
That tree sprouted quickly, right about the time the Indiana Pacers released a statement saying Danny Granger would be out indefinitely with continued soreness in his left knee.
One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity, as the saying goes. Granger’s injury provides a chance to see George in a role we thought might not be available to him for another year or two.
The 22-year-old guard already is signed through 2014, then he will be a restricted free agent, with the Pacers having the right to match any offer made. Given the circumstances, there’s no time like the present to start driving up the price. This is an opportunity for George to seize the reins as the main man on the team and keep them, even when Granger returns, and a chance to emerge as that clutch player that the Pacers have lacked for past few years.
George has swagger, yet he’s humble. He knows what he can do, yet is keenly aware that he hasn’t done it yet. The time is now. Young man, use those long arms attached to that 6-foot-9 frame, reach up and GET THAT MONEY!!!
Strangely, this is the best thing that could have happened to the Pacers. They will find out sooner than expected exactly who George is. Is he the future? Is he the present, the star the team has needed for years? Is he a pretender? Do they need to make a deal at the trade deadline to get that superstar to get them over?
Without Granger and George stumbling over each other, we will know soon.
Larry Bird often talked about how the Pacers needed that game-changing star. Granger got close, but never quite got there, and now he’s 29 and beat up. George is a more athletic version of Granger and is a better defender. He has a lot to do with why the Pacers focused on keeping the guys they had and strengthening their bench instead of going outside to find a star.
Out of respect, Granger still has been considered the man, and his presence has unintentionally blocked George’s development.
Not anymore.
George averaged 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds as a rookie during the 2010-2011 season. His averages jumped to 12.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest last season, when he started all 66 games.
George’s second year didn’t bring the degree of growth some people wanted to see, though he showed flashes of greatness. He participated in the Rising Stars Challenge and the Slam Dunk Contest. He also got votes for the all-defense team, a good sign for a young guy.
George had a chance to shine this preseason while Granger struggled to get healthy. He started every preseason game and averaged 14.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. He shot just 37 percent from the field, showing some of the inconsistency that has slowed his rise to what his talent level indicates should be certain stardom. But now, the circumstances have his attention. He’s the man now. It’s showtime. George loves the camera and the camera loves him back. He knows what’s in front of him. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do.
There are some things to look for as we find out if George is ready to become the unquestioned star of this talented team.
-Is he willing to take the punishment that comes with being the primary slasher? George is slightly built, though he appears to have put on some strength in the offseason. He has had trouble finishing at times in the past because he could be knocked around. He can’t afford to have that problem now.
-Is he willing to drive more instead of settling for 3-pointers? Last season, 234 of his 639 shots were threes. He hit a respectable 37 percent of them, but he’ll be needed more as an attacker now. He shot just 182 free throws last season, fewer than three per game. That must increase.
-Can he can maintain his status as a shutdown defender while carrying a greater offensive load?
-Will he understand when to press and when to defer? That’s an extremely difficult challenge for a young star. He will be the No. 1 option, but he is one part of a very talented team. As LeBron James has proven, part of being great is letting others be great sometimes, too.
-Most important, will he take over in clutch moments. He has the talent. He has the stage. Oh yes, and he has the giant money tree.
Granger has been a great mentor to George, but the time for the student to become the teacher is at hand. Carpe Diem, young fella!
