Brian Spurlock-USA Today Sports
The NBA has announced a press conference for 10 a.m. tomorrow in Indianapolis, according to reports, where it’s believed that Indiana Pacers SG/SF Paul George will be named this season’s Most Improved Player.
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The third-year wing stepped into the role vacated by the injured Danny Granger and was selected to his first ever All-Star game in the process. He posted career-high averages in points (17.4), assists (4.1), and rebounds (7.6).
George, who played his college ball at Fresno State, is fresh off a triple-double in Indiana’s game one win over the Atlanta Hawks in the first-round of the playoffs. It the was first triple-double by a Pacer in the playoffs for almost 15 years, where now Golden State Warriors head coach, Mark Jackson, was the last to do it.
George put his versatile game on full display this season, giving the Pacers a wing threat while also morphing into a fierce perimeter defender. While he’s often guarding the opposition’s most talented wing, George is also asked to handle ball-handling duties at times for Indiana. Whether it’s working one-on-one or through on-ball screens, his growing offensive skill set has given the Pacers a dimension at the forward position Granger couldn’t provide.
While much of Indiana’s success has come from a true team effort, George is what separates the Pacers from other playoff teams like the Hawks, and he will be vital should they advance and play the likes of Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James.
If George truly is to win the award, he will have beat out other qualified candidates in the Milwaukee Bucks‘ Larry Sanders, Houston Rockets‘ Omer Asik, Philadelphia 76ers‘ Jrue Holiday, and the New Orleans Hornets‘ Greivis Vasquez, to name a few.
Brandon Curry is an NBA writer for Rant Sports. Follow Brandon on Twitter @ByBrandonCurry
