Stretch Run is Absolutely Vital for Pacers to Keep Paul George in Indy

The Indiana Pacers are in the middle of a frustrating season, one that won’t help keep Paul George around.

Paul George has been everything and then some. Nobody projected the 3 star small forward from Palmdale, California to be this good. But, let’s call it what it is; this year has been disappointing.

Everybody wants to blame somebody when in reality this has been a group effort. It’s hard to really point at one person and say he has been the problem because this is a team game. Paul George is not 31-30, the team is. In a star driven league, winning is everything. Paul is like any other superstar in the fact that he wants to win and who can blame him after having so much success in the early parts of his career.

Breakthrough on the Horizon?

Larry Bird stood pat at the trade deadline for a reason. He believes in the potential for this team to string some positive games together. With only 21 games to go, though, it has to happen now. The Pacers have to battle back and finish strong, it’s their only hope to keep PG.

Finishing 6th in the East with a record barely above .500 and losing in the first round is not gonna cut it. It makes it more likely that a year from now PG will leave and Larry Bird and the Pacers absolutely cannot lose a talent like him leave for nothing.

This team has the potential to get where they need to be though. There is no doubt in my mind that they can finish strong and win a first round series. Paul can just about win a series by himself but with the help of Myles Turner and Jeff Teague they should have a real shot.

Another off-season full of Promise

Indy has to finish out this season on a mission. A mission above all else to prove to their superstar that they are close. If Paul sees this team is truly in the top tier of the East it would make a world of difference.

Indy has to finish out this season on a mission. A mission above all else to prove to their superstar that they are close.

If they can just push a team like Toronto or Washington to the brink in the playoffs that gives them a real chance to make a move in the off-season. Although Indy won’t have a ton of cap space after (hopefully) resigning Jeff Teague, playing well down the stretch gives Larry a chance. A chance to retool this roster around Paul and Myles Turner once again.

These Pacers have shown real signs of life since the All-Star break excluding a disappointing trip to Miami. The last couple games are definitely something to build on but now it’s about actually doing it.

Next: Monta Ellis Settling in as the Sixth Man

This season and possibly Paul’s time in Indy is slipping away. But, the past is the past and what lies ahead is far more important.