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Paul George

Paul George hasn’t been available all year until this week.  What happened?  Why is this superstar player on the market for a team that is in the playoff hunt?  He’s young, on a good contract, and a top flight player.  Well here’s the background for those of you that want to know.

I in real life am a big Pacers fan and have watched Paul George complain and piss away what was a very promising season all year.  He decides when and where he wants to play.  He is very much like Boogie Cousins in that if he gets fouled but they don’t call it, you can pretty much guarantee he’s not playing defense on the next possession, and may not even get back on D at all.  There are plenty of 5 on 4’s while he complains to the officials. 

The Pacers are reportedly looking to get him “help” before the trade deadline.  I would argue they went out and got plenty of help in the offseason.  I had this discussion with a recent GM.  The Pacers won the East 3 years ago, let’s compare that roster to this years.

Center – then Roy Hibbert, now Miles Turner – Turner is already a better rebounder, scorer, and shot blocker than Roy ever was

PF – then David West, now Thad Young – West is the better player here, but Young is the stretch 4 they wanted, he’s shooting 40% from 3-pt land, and can rebound and defend multiple positions

SF – PG, he’s clearly a better player now, but has decided he doesn’t have to try anymore

SG – then Lance Stephenson, now CJ Miles – Lance had some good qualities, and was important, but CJ is a much better shooter and defender.  Lance could create a bit better, but I would say this is awash

PG – then George Hill, now Jeff Teague – Hill was a better defender, but Teague is a better playmaker and is a better shooter now.  Hill is a great 3 pt shot this year, but 3 years ago, he was an average one.

Bench – then Ian Mahinmi, Solomon Hill, Luis Scola, Evan Turner, CJ Watson, Rasual Butler

            now – Al Jefferson, CJ Miles, Monta Ellis, Glenn Robinson III, Rodney Stuckey, Lavoy Allen

This years bench is insanely better, they can score and create, one of the better benches in the league. 

Now that I’ve done an in depth analysis, my point is that this years team has at least as much talent as the team that won 56 games. 

I’ve watched so many games of the Pacers this year, and PG has just lost my respect.  He is still an elite talent when he wants to be.  NBA people are saying we gotta get him help before he leaves, well I maintain that unless he joins a super team, he won’t be on a team that has this much talent any other time in his career.  He needs to turn his attention inward.  This led me to want to try to trade him the NLL, which is rather stupid  honestly, but we all have our quirks.  I’ve been talked off the ledge recently by a rival GM who made some good point about him still being young and one of the top players in the league.  I’m waiting for that wow deal to make the trade, and am still trying to decide if my current loathing for him will make me trade him or keep him. 

I’d love to hear comments from other GMs who watch the league and let me know if I’m wrong here or what.  If you are a top 10-15 player in the league, you gotta elevate your team more.