5 reasons Indiana Pacers can win NBA Finals
By John Buhler
2. Paul George
While the 2014-15 Pacers came up a game short of the No. 8 seed in the 2015 Eastern Conference Playoffs, they will have their best offensive weapon at full strength this postseason in perennial All-Star swingman Paul George.
George when healthy is a top 10 talent in the NBA. Though the Pacers haven’t taken the league by storm in 2015-16 with their version of playing small ball, Indiana still has a strong basketball team that is more than capable of making noise in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Besides being able to play smothering defense and dictate pace through solid rebounding tactics, perhaps having the best small forward not named LeBron James in George on the Pacers roster is their best chance to win in close games. When the game is on the line, George is getting the ball and will be expected to score the winning bucket. He has proven to be that guy for Indiana the last three or so years.
Not every NBA Playoff team has that undeniable, late-game go-to scoring force. While Ellis can certainly hold his own in that regard, George is better suited for that role than nearly every team that qualified in the East.
Some teams don’t know who to draw the last shot up for in times of crisis. For Vogel, it is a no-brainer: the ball is going to George and he will make the big play for the Pacers in several key playoff games this spring. Few teams in the East have a superstar, but George is one for Indiana.
Next: 1. Three Eastern Conference Finals in four years?