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NBA scout: “I don’t really see why they want to play Paul George more as a four”

By Jared Wade

Oct 15, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jared Cunningham (9) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jared Cunningham (9) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sports Illustrated asked some NBA scouts to assess how each team will fare this season, and the one who analyzed the Indiana Pacers is confused by the team’s offseason changes.

Like Paul George (and arguably Frank Vogel), he doesn’t understand why this team would want to move Paul George to the 4 spot. The league is overall moving to a smaller, faster style of play but he astutely notes that George is possibly the third best 3 in the league.

So why mess with that?

Here are his comments in full, via Sports Illustrated.

"“A winning record is the right goal for them. They lost Roy Hibbert and David West—those guys were their identity. Their roster screams that they will shift from a defense-first approach to an offense-first one, playing faster and smaller… Frank Vogel is such a good coach that he will adapt. I don’t think he’s on the hot seat yet, but management didn’t do him any favors… I don’t really see why they want to play Paul George more as a four; he’s arguably the best three man in the league behind LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Why mess with that? . . . It’s one thing to decide to move Hibbert, but then you come up with Jordan Hill? That’s your back-up plan? . . . Ian Mahinmi is only a starting center if you have a legit All-Star at power forward. He’s a guy you want on your team, a solid backup, resourceful. Defensively he’s a presence, but offensively he’s not ready to take that next step… There is some firepower. Monta Ellis brings a nice scoring punch; he’s one of the better paint-attackers in the league. He will be a big part of their next identity. Historically, that means they’ll be pretty average… If you have Monta, Paul and George Hill, you have guys who can all handle the ball and set up opportunities with the drive. They can get to the free-throw line and get your defense in foul trouble, make you feel like you don’t know where they will hit you from… Both C.J. Miles and Chase Budinger should benefit from all of those guys in the drive-and-kick game. C.J. will be a key guy for them because of the need for spacing and a knockdown shooter.”"

This sentiment isn’t exactly unique.

Everybody thinks the defense will suffer and Paul George will go through some growing pains as he reluctantly adjusts to a new role.

But the scout also does note the offensive improvement we’re almost certain to see from the Pacers this season. Monta Ellis, George Hill, and PG on the perimeter will get buckets.

Next: Myles Turner: What He Is, What He Isn't, What He Could Be

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