Paul George and the Pacers are in an early first round series hole against the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pacers are down 0-2 in the series, and many teams don't come back from being down 0-2. Paul George has been a player who was in news for the entire NBA season. In these first two games of the series, George has made some comments post-game about his teammates, from making sure he gets the last shot, to making sure players channel their emotions. Will Paul George's comments be enough to spark the team?
Tell the truth
In the first game of the series, the Pacers had a chance to win the game with under ten seconds left.
Paul George was trapped immediately and had to give the ball up to CJ Miles. Paul George asked for the ball once he got free, but CJ Miles decided to take it upon himself and shot the final shot, which missed and the Pacers lost. After the game, George made comments about the last possession, saying, "In situations like that, I gotta get the last shot. I was asking for it. CJ took it upon himself." (ESPN). George is the best player on the team by far, so he needs to have the ball in his hands for the last shot.
After their game two loss, Paul George also commented on Lance Stephenson, who had some questionable body language in the game. He said "He's got to learn to control himself and be in the moment.
That emotion comes out of him. He's got to channel that towards making effort plays on the court and doing whatever he needs for us to succeed." He also talked about Myles Turner and how he needs to play better and prevent Tristan Thompson from getting rebounds. George is trying to light a spark under his team, as they are going back home, but in an 0-2 hole.
Spark plug
Paul George has carried the team in their series against the Cavs, as he is averaging 30.5 points and 7 assists per game. He is shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three. He can't beat this team by himself, so maybe this is a way for him to reach his teammates. The story of the Pacers the entire season has been the lack of help around Paul George and it might come back to bite them in this series.
Many wonder if George will move on from the Pacers. Many are hoping he won't, but the lack of support might be the straw that broke the camel's back. George's teammates might want to get it together in game three unless they don't mind losing their best player and dropping to one of the bottom feeders of the NBA next season.
The Pacers will face the Cavs in game three on April 20th. The Pacers will be home for that game, and hearing the crowd cheer might be the boost the Pacers need. They had to fight to get in the playoffs, and now they must fight for their playoff lives in game three.
