After the Indiana Pacers first preseason game, Paul Geore expresses some unhappiness playing the power forward spot
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Everyone’s eyes are shifting closer and closer to the Indiana Pacers as the season nears. It’s not really for a great reason, either.
Shortly after the Indiana Pacers 110-105 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, things started to sound amiss when Paul George spoke to the media. His much publicized move to the power forward spot is now that much more publicized. He had made it clear before it wasn’t something he was thrilled about…then after his comments, Saturday he made it clear he was fully not on board.
Per Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star, George seemed irritated at the idea of playing the 4. Let’s check out the progression of his statements.
After first gm starting at power forward, Paul George: "I don’t know if I’m cut out for a four spot. I don’t know if this is my position."
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) October 4, 2015
Ok…there is no reason to sound the alarms just yet. Maybe he needs more time to get acclimated. Because, you know, he has expressed concern since the decision was made for him to play the power forward spot. What’s next?
Paul George: "I’m still not comfortable with it regardless of the situation, it’s still something I have to adjust to or maybe not...
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) October 4, 2015
Yikes. This is where the red alert button was triggered for most fans.
“... Or maybe it’s something we can go away from.” - Paul George on playing the 4.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) October 4, 2015
All hands on deck, red alert! This sets Indiana up for a nightmare stalemate of sorts. It is never good when a team’s star player is not on board…especially when it concerns how he is being used. This is dangerous ground, even for someone as respected as Larry Bird. But his “he don’t make the decisions around here” comments seem to have this situation headed for disaster.
Bird is noted for his honesty and stubbornness. That is a dangerous combination when it comes to dealing with your best player. The NBA has changed since Bird played and star players have leeway that they did not have before.
PG: "It’s not just myself. The four other guys out there, it’s an adjustment for them. We’re all talking…
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) October 4, 2015
“...A couple other guys are uncomfortable with how we’re going to run it. It’s new to everyone.” - Paul George
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) October 4, 2015
What is even more concerning is how he started a verbal mutiny of sorts after one preseason game. Apparently, he and his teammates are not behind the new system the Indiana Pacers based their rebuild around. It all seems kind of odd after just one measly preseason game.
In fact, it was a preseason game where George actually seemed to thrive against top power forward Anthony Davis in spurts. He had 18 points in 24 minutes. Not too shabby, if you ask me.
Where his dislike seems to stem from is the defensive end. This seems to be a somewhat valid concern for a guy doesn’t really want additional wear and tear on his body.
PG concerns with the 4: "Defensively, it’s rough. It’s rough. It’s an adjustment because I’m not used to doing some of the things out there"
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) October 4, 2015
Add all of this up and who knows what is going to happen. There is not a great track record when it comes to team brass and star players disagreeing. It normally lead to a painful divorce and separation.
No matter if you take the pro-Paul George side or the pro-Pacers side, this is a dangerous situation. A steep precipice that if either side lets it continue, it could be disastrous. One could argue George should have given it more time before not buying into it and voicing it publicly. That issue with overexposure for athletes with the media nowadays leads to quotes like his.
This should have been something completely addressed in-house, but now we all have to suffer and watch the painful exchanges through different media outlets. This is something that is now a sorely sensitive subject around the halls of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
That being said, stars do have certain right. He was paid for being a top small forward in the league. Then a year after a catastrophic leg injury, he comes to camp and learns he is switching positions. His capability at the position and willingness to play it are two separate things here. He has to look out for his best interests at the end of the day – and he if he does not believe this is in his best interest, he will make it loud and clear.
The issue is Indiana does not have the frontcourt assets to be able to not play George at the 4, whatsoever. Him playing that position may very well be their greatest chance to win, as the team is now constructed. It is not a great look for George to outright doubt the move in the media, especially after just one preseason game.
Sure, I expected this maybe 10-15 games into the season. But for it to happen this early signals great tension within an organization that just did a complete re-haul based upon the idea of George playing the 4.
This could play out one of two ways. Either the Pacers cave in and move him back to the small forward or Paul George caves and gives it a shot. In today’s star-driven society, it’s hard to imagine George backing down. Even though if that may be the thing that is best in the long run. There are valid points on each side, for sure, and there is no doubt this whole situation should have been handled better internally.
For now, the NBA world will watch with a careful eye to see just how this whole thing unfolds. Stay tuned.