Paul George (Photo : Getty Images Sport)
Paul George is back-and this is the Paul George that once challenged for the NBA MVP award.
Which is just as well, because PG13 is picking up where he left off. He has declared that he wants to be the best in the NBA, not just the best that he can be. Injury or no injury, he has set the lofty goal of winning the Most Valuable Player Award as he told Indy Star.
"After being drafted into the NBA, I was playing from the bench and then tried to be a starter, then an All-Star. My goal now is set to be MVP. This year, that hasn't changed," he declared. "As a team leader, you must learn to give more effort than others, the first to arrive every day to the arena, the last one to leave every day."
In just his second preseason game, George is already backing up his claim. He scored 32 points, and NBA.com had this assessment.
"Indiana was led by Paul George, who, for the second game in a row, showed his leg injury is a thing of the past. Much of the talk this preseason has been about Indiana's new offense, George's health and his transition to a new position, and tonight proved just how dangerous PG and the offense can be."
Now that's leading by example. However, PG13's public resistance to playing the power forward position was met with general disapproval and it also prompted others to conclude (prematurely) that he's "disgruntled."
Nevertheless, George is acting like a pro and the team officials are responding to his concerns. Indy Star has reported that George received a "clarification" on his role. While they will still continue to try and work it out, PG13 has declared that "he is part of this team."
