Paul George: ‘I don’t know if I’m cut out for a four spot’
By Tom West
After a 110-105 preseason loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers said yet again that he doesn’t think he can play at power forward.
Now that Paul George has returned to the NBA after recovering from a gruesome leg break, his Indiana Pacers, along with fans everywhere, can look forward to seeing him in action again. However, the issue with his return is that head coach Frank Vogel and team president Larry Bird want him to play power forward, a position with which he clearly doesn’t feel comfortable.
Throughout his career, George has spent a mere one percent of his playing time at power forward. It’s so minimal there’s no way to argue he has the experience to suddenly take on a lot of minutes at the position, especially considering the fact that he’s only just returning after playing six games last season.
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The obvious issues of this change aside, though, the Pacers still appear set on making it happen, as George was used at the four in their preseason opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. Yet, for his first game being used properly at power forward, it hardly seems fair to put him against the most terrifying power forward in the league, Anthony Davis.
With that blatant interior mismatch in mind, it makes sense for George to appear disgruntled. Now, Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star has reported his complaints on the move to the four position.
"“I don’t know if I’m cut out for a four spot. I don’t know if this is my position. We’ll sit and watch tape and I’m sure I’ll talk with coach (Frank Vogel). I’ll talk with Larry (Bird) as well to get both their inputs on how the first game went but…I’m still not comfortable with it regardless of the situation. It’s still something I have to adjust to or maybe not. Or maybe it’s something we can go away from.”"
He’s said it before and now he’s said it again: George just doesn’t want to be a power forward. Aside from the fact he’s 6’9″ with long arms and some serious bounce, there’s really no reason for him to be used at the four. Of course he’s fast and explosive. And his career average of 36.1 from three point range makes him a nightmare for most power forwards on the perimeter. But when it comes to George moving inside to defend opposing fours, especially players as imposing as Davis, he has little chance to slow anyone down in the paint.
George spoke about just that, addressing his doubts about what the change in position means for his defensive game (as Buckner also reported).
"“Defensively, it’s rough. It’s rough,” George said, using repetition for emphasis as he often does. “It’s an adjustment because I’m not used to doing some of the things out there and I’m exerting more energy it feels like — from having to hedge on the ball screen, get back down low to a shot going up and now having to box out. So I don’t know. I don’t know.”"
George did have 12 points in the first quarter, and his movement around the court on offense and jump shot appeared to be in great rhythm after his return from such a long absence. He ended up finishing with 18 points and 5 rebounds, so there were some clear positives for his general condition to takeaway from the Pacers’ first exhibition of 2015-16.
Yet, even though George played well offensively, it still doesn’t hide the fact he’s so uncomfortable at power forward.
It will take more than one preseason game for Vogel and Bird to change their mind on the matter, but if their superstar isn’t happy at the four and he doesn’t start finding success both on offense, and especially defense, they may have to rework their plan.