Brunt: Pacers forward Paul George became special vs. LeBron

Cliff January 9, 2013 0

By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor

You know how when you’re playing pickup ball, you make a shot against your defender and you get that rush? And you want the ball again next time because you know that no matter what your opponent does, you’ve got this?

Paul George was that guy last night with LeBron James guarding him.

George had 29 points and 11 rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Miami Heat 87-77. George took over in the fourth quarter, outscoring James 10-6.

It’s been a long time since anybody around here has been “feeling it” against James, but George wanted the ball. It wasn’t that fake, in-your-face, I’m-not-scared-of-you junk that shows you’re really scared to death. He gave off a vibe that teammates, and most of all, LeBron, could sense.

Most of all, he delivered the goods.

George said after the game that he entered the game wanting to know where he stood.

“It’s a chance to for me to see where I’m at, going against one of the best, if not, the best in the league,” Indiana’s 22-year-old forward said. “Another challenge to myself to go at LeBron. I definitely wanted to battle him.”

Do you like where you’re at now, Paul?

The Pacers could have chosen the path of least resistance to beat Miami, but they chose to go right at their best player with a young guy who is just starting to flourish. That sends a message, to the Heat and everyone else.

At this point, the All-Star question is a moot point. George’s effort against the Heat solidified something that was already on the cusp of reality. If he’s not an All-Star, they should cancel the game.

But there’s so much more to this.

George took advantage of the fact that Danny Granger has been out all season with a left knee injury, and now, he’s made Larry Bird look like a genius again. Last night, he looked like he might be the clutch performer that the franchise and its fans have coveted since Reggie Miller left.

Not only that, he’s a lockdown defender. Frank Vogel says George is “becoming the best defensive wing in the game.”

In case you forgot, LeBron is a wing.

LeBron himself noticed a change in George.

“I see him playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of opportunities,” James said. “The simple fact that Danny Granger is hurt has created this opportunity for him to show what he can do. He’s doing everything. He was a good player last year, but we weren’t able to see it because he wasn’t a featured player.”

George’s postgame interview session wasn’t a Hulk Hogan-style pump-up speech. He was very measured in his words and tone. He didn’t even seem excited. That, too, is significant. Remember when George was matched up with Derrick Rose two years ago in the playoffs? He was a hyper kid who was excited to be on the stage with Rose.

Last night, George owned the stage.

George might get 50 dropped on him next time he goes to South Beach. That’s OK. George is mature enough now to know that such things happen sometimes. Yes, I used “mature” to describe a young Pacers player. See how far the franchise has come?

George finally has overtaken David West as the team’s leading scorer (by one point). He’s now averaging 16.7 points per game. And, though West carried much of the load while the Pacers figured things out in the early days without Granger, George’s ascent has taken the Pacers to another level. Indiana has won 11 of 14 games, with George leading the way on both ends of the floor.

I said before the season that Granger’s injury might have been the best thing to happen to the Pacers because they finally got to find out what they had in George (Post telling George to go get that money). Now they know, and the possibilities for the Pacers are endless. Indiana is only three games behind Miami for the top seed in the East, and we’re not even halfway through the season. There’s plenty of time to catch up. Vogel said last night that Granger is on schedule to return in about a month.

If Granger is even close to 100 percent, what do defenses do against the Pacers? Do they put their best perimeter defender on George or Granger? If teams put their No. 2 perimeter defender on Granger, they can prepare to get bludgeoned. And the Pacers’ already formidable defense becomes even better. An already big team becomes even bigger. Indiana becomes a legitimate title contender, provided Granger is ready to accept a bit of a reduced offensive role.

Give George him credit. So many times, potential falls short because talented people don’t want to work to become great. George has put in the work. Now, he and the Pacers are ready to take off.