From 2010 to 2017, Paul George was a top star in the NBA as a member of the Indiana Pacers. During his stint with the team, the Fresno State product was a four-time All-Star, a Most Improved Player award recipient, and a three-time All-NBA Third Team selection. Furthermore, he was an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
George's time in Indiana was also successful beyond just individual success. In 2013 and 2014, George led the Pacers to two consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances, losing to the Miami Heat both times. The Pacers would not make another run this deep until 2024.
Despite his Pacers tenure being more successful than not, it is fair to consider it underwhelming. Additionally, due to the nature of how his time in Indiana ended, many Pacers fans still hold a grudge against George. However, over seven years since he last suited up for the Pacers, George has opened up a bit about why he failed as the team's leader towards the end of his tenure.
Paul George admits to not being 'mature enough' ahead of Pacers exit
In a recent episode of his podcast (YouTube link), George, who is approaching his first season as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, spoke a little bit about the importance of team culture. While doing so, the California native reflected on the end of his time as a Pacer and admitted to his immaturity as a veteran leader. Furthermore, he admitted to being "mentally checked out" towards the end.
"I’ve been on teams where the culture just wasn’t there. And when that happens, no matter how much talent you have, it doesn’t click. Like, in Indiana, towards the end, I was mentally checked out. I felt like the front office wasn’t doing enough to make the team competitive. So, when I was told I’d be playing the four, after dealing with injuries, that just added to it," George said.
"I wasn’t mature enough at the time to separate myself from that. It bled into the locker room, and I wasn’t the vet I should’ve been. I even apologized to Myles Turner later, for not being the leader he needed. Culture matters, man, from the front office to the locker room. If everyone isn’t aligned, it’s not going to work.”
During his last season in Indiana, George was far from the oldest player on the team. Additionally, he was not even the longest-tenured NBA player on the team. However, he spent more time in the Pacer organization by that point than anybody else on the roster. He was in a position to play a significant role in the locker room, but as he implies, he failed to excel in the role.
In 2017, the Pacers traded George to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Since then, the team has gone through numerous ups and downs.
Heading into the 2024-25 NBA season, the Pacers are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference with multiple locker room leaders, most notably Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam. Additionally, for the first time in years (arguably since George was on the team), the Pacers have a legitimate face of the franchise in Tyrese Haliburton.
George's stint in Indiana may have had a sour end. However, all these years later, the Pacers are in a good position. Additionally, now that George is back in the conference, the two sides will have plenty of opportunities to determine who will have more success in the next few years.