OKC Thunder TIP3 queries 8 points, 9 seconds on Pacers

Dylan Hughes offers insight:

TI Q1- Paul George makes his return – what should he expect?

It’s somewhat surreal to think one man (LeBron James) was the main deterrent in the Paul George Pacers era. During the period of 2011-12 through 2013-14 the Indiana Pacers were a formidable force in the East. If not for the James infamous South Beach decision to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh the Pacers could very well have gone to three consecutive finals.

Looking back the team seemed to derail when off court issues between Paul George and Roy Hibbert seeped onto the hardwood. Shortly after this three year period the team was disassembled to build around George and then he suffered the terrible injury with Team USA.  Even after George returned things never got back on track.

Undoubtedly there will be a chorus of boos this evening in the Fieldhouse to serenade George upon his return. Having gone through a similar situation in OKC, Thunder fans can relate. The major difference is George afforded his Pacers the opportunity to get something back in exchange for his services. Still, by publicly stating his desire to leave arguably his trade value was diminished (see question two).

With the OKC Thunder, George has yet to find a comfortable groove particularly with his two OK3 partners.  He still is solid defensively, but it’s been a mixed bag on offense. George is shooting at a career tying best of 40.9 percent from the perimeter.  Conversely, his 2-point field goal percent (42.6%) and total shooting percentage (41.8%) are career lows (if we discount the 6 games played when he returned from injury).

My question about George is two-fold.  Prior to George’s departure how much of Indiana’s regression is placed upon George’s shoulders? And, knowing PG as the alpha dog, do you envision he can be successful as anything other than that?