Growing up in the 90’s and falling in love with the game of basketball, like many other kids I gravitated to the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan. He was every where. And he was amazing to watch. But wanting to be different, there was someone else for me to look too. Someone who got under Jordan’s skin. Someone wasn’t afraid of Jordan. Someone who would hit game winners over him.
As a kid I had this little NBA book featuring different NBA stars. Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Robinson and this tall, skinny shooter Reggie Miller. Something in that book, maybe it was the Flo-Jo jerseys, got me to pay attention to Miller at a young age. And what I saw then made me a Pacers fan for life.
He was fearless. He was deadly. He was great. Miller didn’t care who he was going against. Jordan and the Bulls, the Knicks in the Garden, didn’t matter, he was there to win. And put on a show. Reggie Miller gave basketball fans some great moments and often heart breaking moments for his opponents, see 8 points in 8.9 seconds
He was fearless. He was deadly. He was great. Miller didn’t care who he was going against. Jordan and the Bulls, the Knicks in the Garden, didn’t matter, he was there to win. And put on a show. Reggie Miller gave basketball fans some great moments and often heart breaking moments for his opponents, see 8 points in 8.9 seconds
Miller gave the Pacers 18 fantastic years. But when he retired, he left a void in the organization. There was no more superstar in Indiana. There was no more flash, no more draw. Jermaine O’Neal was good, but was often injured and the chaos in the locker room and on the court meant the team would come up short.
Danny Granger has been nothing but a professional for the Pacers. And a damn good one at that. But the team never had the talent around him to really make a push. And around the NBA, new stars came to light. Kobe Bryant took the torch from MJ. LeBron James took the world by storm. Melo, Wade, Paul and others were drawing the attention. Kids weren’t drawn to the Pacers any more.
Until another lanky California basketballer was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 2010. Unknown to many, the Fresno State product was known for his defense early in his career. But those who watched Paul George regularly could see this silky smooth quality, reminiscent of Tracy McGrady, in his offensive game.
He’s a high flyer.
Danny Granger has been nothing but a professional for the Pacers. And a damn good one at that. But the team never had the talent around him to really make a push. And around the NBA, new stars came to light. Kobe Bryant took the torch from MJ. LeBron James took the world by storm. Melo, Wade, Paul and others were drawing the attention. Kids weren’t drawn to the Pacers any more.
Until another lanky California basketballer was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 2010. Unknown to many, the Fresno State product was known for his defense early in his career. But those who watched Paul George regularly could see this silky smooth quality, reminiscent of Tracy McGrady, in his offensive game.
He’s a high flyer.
He’s a shot maker.
He’s a shot blocker.
He’ll pick your pocket.
Going toe-to-toe with LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals, the George lead Pacers fell in seven games. And while they lost, people now knew who Paul George was and saw the Pacers were back. Fast forward to the 2013-2014 season, George has lead them to the best record in the NBA and is a MVP candidate.
More than that, George has given the kids a reason to watch the Pacers again. When the Pacers are on TV, everyone knows what George can do. He’s a threat from all over the court. And sometimes he does things like this:
More than that, George has given the kids a reason to watch the Pacers again. When the Pacers are on TV, everyone knows what George can do. He’s a threat from all over the court. And sometimes he does things like this:
Growing up in Pennsylvania, all I got asked was, “Why the hell are you a Pacers fan?” My answer was always a simple, “Reggie Miller.” Now kids growing up all over the world when asked, “Why the hell are you a Pacers fan?” can just simply respond, “Paul George.”