Paul George has carried the Indiana Pacers pass the Atlanta Hawks and into the NBA Playoffs 2017. PG13 was firing on all cylinders to keep the Pacers in the running, and finally seal a spot in the post-season. He scored a double-double with 32 points and 11 rebounds, in a 57% shooting night sinking 5 of his 10 three pointers. Indiana outscored Atlanta in all quarters to end the face off at 104-846.
With such incredible performance and another spot at the big dance, will Paul George still consider leaving the Pacers next season?
Paul George stats leading to the NBA Playoffs 2017
The Indiana Pacers has been on a winning streak since losing four straight games. Now winning its fifth straight, the past wins have solidified George as the torchbearer for the team. In a match against DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors, PG posted a double-double with 35 points and 10 boards to keep the Raptors at bay. In last week's game, he slapped another double-double against the Milwaukee Bucks to win by 15 points. He contributed 23 markers, 10 rebounds, 4 steals with 64% shooting.
Against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, he scored 37 points with 7 rebounds and 6 steals to win by 15; and versus the Philadelphia 76ers, PG13 scored 27 points with 5 assists, 2 steals and a block.
His statistics the past five games have established George as the pillar of the Pacers. And as they move forward to the post season, facing number two seed Cleveland Cavaliers, many are expecting him to pull out all the stops in a bid to bring the team back to the big dance, the NBA Finals 2017.
Paul George trade talks continue; Will he leave Pacers?
After struggling to stay alive in the league, now that the NBA 2017 regular season is over and the Pacers are secured for the seventh spot, many are wondering if moving is still an option for the 10th overall NBA draft pick in 2010. Paul George trade talks have been aplenty since the start of this season.
Earlier this year, rumors of Paul wanting to be the next definitive icon of Lakers basketball have been thrown into the mix. After the Kobe Bryant era, PG's looming free agency has been a focal discussion and the Los Angeles Lakers is at the top of the would-be destination of the All Star.
Paul George to Lakers seems to be a good fit for both camps -- PG will have a new lease at his basketball life with a new coach, new front office and new teammates; the Lakers will also have a new superstar in town and a possible catalyst to work their development with. Then again, with the Pacers getting into the NBA Playoffs, the story could be written differently for George.
If he and his team get to beat the Cavs in a seven-game series, PG13 may think twice before leaving a team that could be championship-worthy.
However, it will take PG and his mates beating LeBron James and the defending champions to do that.
Will Paul George ever don another set of uniforms? We'll have to wait next season to find out. In the meantime, the NBA Playoffs 2017 kickstarts this weekend with the Cavaliers vs Pacers starting their series on Saturday, April 15.
