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He’s Back: Paul George and Thunder visit Indiana Wednesday night

By Jonathan Matthes

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 29: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 29, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 29: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 29, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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This return might be unparalleled in the history of the Indiana Pacers: Paul George, “the one who left” is back for one night and one night only. And you can’t wait.

You’re going to boo aren’t you?I doubt anyone would fault you, they’ll actually probably join you. We are talking about Paul George after all. The same Paul George who was the Indiana Pacers best player all of six months ago, and now wears a uniform of blue and orange, instead of blue and gold.

You were mad then, back in June. Furious even. We were so close you thought, twice Eastern Conference Runner-up, probably should have knocked out Miami that first time. So, damn, close. But then you surveyed the .500 Pacers over his last two seasons with a befuddled, disappointed glare. They should be better, you thought. At least we deserve better.

I think it could be forgiven that the good was carpeted over with the bad. The 19 times he scored over 30 didn’t have the same lasting feel as the two times he scored under 10. The images of the times you felt he didn’t hustle left a far more lasting impact than the memory of his all-NBA defensive pedigree. The All-Star appearances didn’t pay for the repeated yapping a referees. And, yes, the game winners fell much more frequently during slow-motion Gatorade commercials than in real life.

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There were a lot of things George did that made you mad. You didn’t like hugging it out with opposing players, or dapping LeBron during games. You didn’t like him going on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and thoroughly enjoying the overt Laker flirtations. And you really didn’t like the “he wants to be traded to the Lakers” caveat  that you thought obliterated his trade value.

But it didn’t.

Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis have been phenomenal. The Pacers have been enrapturing. Never since the 90’s, back when you knew the Pacers on either a one name basis (Reggie, Rik, Jackson), or familial (the Davis boys), have you been more in love with a Pacers’ team. The never-say die attitude and the final second knock-outs make Pacers fans swoon to the time when those were regular occurrences.

And you can’t wait to rub it in his face.

I don’t blame you, few would. The Pacers are winning, OKC is losing. The Pacers move the ball on offense, the Thunder stand around. Oladipo is a whirling-dervish with the ball, Sabonis is a wizard passing out of the post, and George spends most of his games standing around waiting for Russell Westbrook or Carmelo Anthony to do something. And you love it.

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But the criticism of the Thunder is probably a bit premature. George has had a splendid season overall. He’s not only averaging over 20 points a game, and his 3 made threes a game are the sixth most in the league. He’s also leading the league in steals (2.4) and deflections (4.6). He has once again reclaimed his position as one of the best wing defenders in the NBA.

While the Thunder have been atrocious to watch on offense, 6 of their 14 loses have come in two possession games or less. And don’t forget that OKC won their only other matchup against the Pacers this season.

And it’s not like all of George’s memories in Indy were bad. Remember his dunk against the Birdman? Or the three he hit to force overtime that he shot from Ft. Lauderdale? Or that time he returned from his broken leg to a roaring standing ovation? Papa John was even there in person for that one.

Next: Fan replaces PG with Victor Oladipo in old Gatorade ad

Remember Paul George isn’t just the player who left, he’s also the one who made those back to back Eastern Conference Finals possible. Both of those guys are George, he’s a villain now, but it wasn’t all that long ago where he was the hero. Just something to keep in mind while you gargle to prepare for your boos. Which I expect to be both voluminous and robust.

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