Indiana Pacers
Nice Surprise: Paul George might be the third best player in the NBA.
George is averaging 26 points, eight boards and four assists per game so far this season. I’m pretty sure doctors inserted two springs when they redid George’s leg last summer. Either way, it’s supremely impressive to see George’s resurgence this season.
Needs Improvement: The Pacers play a lot of isolation basketball.
Players like George and Monta Ellis are score-first guys. Both point guards, George Hill and Rodney Stuckey, rarely create for teammates. Indiana is currently 20th in the NBA in assists. A factoid (*pushes up glasses) to keep in mind- out of the bottom 15 teams in assists last year only Toronto made the playoffs.
Next: Atlanta Hawks