It was only one game, but Saturday’s preseason opener may give Pacers fans cause for concern.
Pacers All-Star Paul George expressed doubts about whether or not he could play power forward after making his debut at the position against Anthony Davis and the Pelicans. Pacers coach Frank Vogel said he will pencil the 6-9 George, who came into the league as a shooting guard, in as a four in a small-ball lineup this season.
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“I don’t know if this is my position,“ George said via the Indy Star. “We’ll sit and watch tape, and I’m sure I’ll talk with coach (Vogel). I’ll talk with Larry (Bird) as well to get both their inputs on how the first game went but … I’m still not comfortable with it regardless of the situation. It’s still something I have to adjust to or maybe not. Or maybe it’s something we can go away from.”
George scored 18 points in the 110-105 loss to the Pelicans. He also had the misfortune of matching up against the Pelicans' Davis, who probably makes most players who try to guard him feel inadequate.
"It’s an adjustment because I’m not used to doing some of the things out there and I’m exerting more energy it feels like — from having to hedge on the ball screen, get back down low to a shot going up and now having to box out," George said. "So I don’t know. I don’t know.”
George, who missed all but six games last season, was a two-time All-Star after switching to small forward, averaging more than 36 minutes a game. He built a reputation as a workhouse and a top perimeter defender, but guarding bigger players will be more physically taxing for arguably the Pacers best offensive player.
Only time will tell if he can become a solid post defender as well.