Indiana Pacers: Should Paul George Return This Season?

Indiana Pacers: Paul George has been rumored to be close to returning from his leg injury, but should he return this late in the season?

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It’s never really easy, as we’ve seen with Derrick Rose over the last handful of seasons. You can never please the fans, nor the media. A naysayer will always arise, no matter what decision is made.

Nevertheless, a decision whether to return has to be made sooner rather than later for Paul George, who is nearly all recovered from a gruesome leg injury suffered in the summer.

But should he risk — whether that entails rustiness or re-injury — in an attempt to cement his team’s playoff chances? It’s something that was almost a foregone conclusion a few weeks ago. George looked great in non-contact practice and even loosely offered up a target return date.

This is what George said roughly two weeks ago, via Pro Basketball Talk:

"“I want to (play this season),” George said at the time. “March 1st was the date I wanted to be able to full on practice without limitations or restrictions, and from there see where things go. But mid-March is ideally where I want to be able to make a comeback and play my first game.”"

Although, since his team has dived into this recent tear, in which they have won seven-straight games and posted a league-best 13-2 record since February, George has almost put the brakes on a possible return this season. Which seems almost odd.

"[via IndyStar.com]When asked directly, George paused, took a thoughtful breath, and said while he still wants to return, he doesn’t want to risk jeopardizing the Pacers’ recent strong play, which has seen the team win seven straight and 13 of their last 15.“I’m on the fence,” said George, who was injured playing in a scrimmage for Team USA on Aug. 1. “Part of me is (thinking), they’re playing so well, they’ve come together, to shake up the chemistry and add another body, another player in there … I don’t want to be that guy that destroys what these guys have going.“On the other hand, there’s a part of me that’s like, ‘I can definitely help.’ It’s a difficult point in my role right now, but we’ll take it day-to-day.”"

During the Indiana Pacers’ recent tear, they have the third-best offensive rating (107.2) and second-best defensive rating (96.7) in the NBA.

While it’s understandable that George doesn’t want to hurt his team’s recent play, which has been exceptional to say the least, I don’t think there’s anyone in the locker room, really, that would say that. Even if George comes back and the Pacers go on an extended losing streak, or funk, I don’t think anyone would point the finger at George’s return as the culprit.

But it’s understandable

Looking at the Pacers’ realistic expectations without George is pretty simple. They could win one, maybe two games against the Atlanta Hawks or Cleveland Cavaliers if they finish in one of the bottom two spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. If they finish in the sixth seed, they could probably take the Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors or Washington Wizards to a sixth or seventh game.

I don’t think they would be in position to win any of those series, though.

A Paul George return, even at an 80 or 85 percent version of himself, potentially changes everything, however.

If George returns, without any significant rust and the rest of the Pacers continue to play at the level they are currently playing at, I’m not going to put it pass this team to upset a team like the Washington Wizards, Toronto Raptors or Chicago Bulls in the first round — team’s that aren’t exactly playing at such a high level themselves.

Should Paul George return? Yes. It makes sense. If he’s healthy, and feels like he can play at a high level, I’m not sure what he can gain by sitting out. And I’m not buying the messing with the Pacers chemistry. George isn’t just another guy. He’s THE guy for the Indiana Pacers.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/14/2015.

Will he? That’s to be determined. That’s on George. And as we’ve seen in previous seasons, almost exclusively with Derrick Rose, it’s not that easy of a decision. Despite what the evidence may say.

Ultimately, I believe we’ll see George in a Pacers uniform before the summer. I think deep down inside, he believes that too.

Next: The Hawks, not Cavs, are the class of the Eastern Conference