Feb 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) plays defense against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Detroit 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers
Record: 18-32
First Half Highlight: Video of Paul George moving with the basketball post-surgery
Analysis: The Indiana Pacers had a horrible offseason. First, they lost Lance Stephenson to the Charlotte Hornets during free agency and then lost Paul George to a gruesome injury during FIBA World Cup play.
All in all, it couldn’t have gone any worse for the Pacers this past summer.
Nevertheless, the Pacers sit in February only a handful of games out of the Eastern Conference playoffs, and Paul George is only a few weeks away from returning to practice.
Soon, George could be returning to the Pacers lineup. Although, that isn’t a forgone conclusion at the moment. If the Pacers can sneak into the playoffs, I believe there are some who believe they could be one of the more dangerous lower seeds in the Eastern Conference .
Who knows?
At the end of the day, though. This team isn’t that good right now, without George. The worst part of it all this season is that the Pacers discovered who Roy Hibbert really is. Or in his case, who he isn’t.
Grade: C
Next: Los Angeles Clippers