The Indiana Pacers are joining the NBA's 'small-ball' movement, and their best player isn't happy
R. Brent Smith/AP
Small-ball systems typically push each player up a position, at times eliminating a traditional power forward or center altogether. By putting, most commonly, a small forward at power forward, defenses have to respect the shooting and perimeter style of smaller players, thus creating more room inside of the three-point arc.
The Indiana Pacers are on board with this style this season, pushing star wing player Paul George to start at power forward, according to Candace Buckner of the Indy Star.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel revealed to Buckner that after months of speculation, the Pacers plan to play George at power forward, or the "four," this season. The Pacers believe George's ball-handling and shooting will give their offense a new dynamic without hurting them much on defense.
On paper, this sounds great... Except to Paul George, who went on 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis and didn't give a glowing review of the switch, saying, "I'm not thrilled on it."
George spoke about how he thinks he can outsmart bigger players, but thinks teams will go after him to get him in foul trouble. He continued. "I don't have a problem doing it. I told them I'm open for the change. If it works, it works, if it doesn't, let's get me back to my position and let's get me back to playing on the perimeter."
George acknowledged that he and his teammates have played pick-up games with him at the four in small-ball units and said they've been crushing teams. He can see the benefits of it.
However, later, Buckner talked to George, and he sounded off on Vogel penciling him in as the power forward:
I asked Paul George about Vogel's projected "on paper" starting five with him as the 4: "That's kinda new to me."
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
More Paul George: "I knew that they wanted me to play the four a bit. As far as starting out at it, we talked about it some…" (1 of 3)
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
"for him to say it in the papers, I guess, he's pretty confident on it on me starting as the power forward. So that was new to me" (2 of 3)
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
PG: "It's not what I came into the league as. I don't think I'm at that point in my career where I should be changing positions." (3 on 3)
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
PG said often "we" will see how it goes re: role as starting PF. I asked him how much say he'll have in decision to keep on playing it...
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
PG: "I hope I lot. I hope my happiness comes 1st in this whole ordeal but again I'm not someone that's going to change a locker rm (1 of 2)
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
PG: "...or kill a locker room. I'm open to it so I just want to see how it goes." (2 of 2)
- Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) September 24, 2015
Unfortunately for George, the Pacers are built to play small this season. After trading Roy Hibbert and letting David West walk, the Pacers didn't make a concentrated push to replace their starting big men. Much of their front-court consists of big men from the bench last year and players from the scrap heap in free agency.
As George notes, however, it will be a bit of an experiment. In certain matchups, George, surrounded by shooters and slashers, could be deadly at the four, particularly because of his play-making and athleticism. Other times, he'll be outmatched, and will get to slide to his more natural position at the three.
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