The lanky second-year man starts at shooting guard for the Pacers but can match up defensively with a variety of small forwards, so we're gonna throw him in this spot. George is an exceptional athlete brimming with possibility. Never was that more on display than when he turned in one of the season's best stat lines in a Feb. 2 win against the Mavericks with a Swiss Army knife-like 30 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 assists.
George has a long, fluid stroke from behind the arc that is commanding more and more attention. This season he's shooting 40 percent on 3-pointers (up from 29 last year) good for second best on the Pacers. He's had games this season of 5-for-5, 7-for-11 and 4-for-6 from 3-point land. George is also tops in steals and second on the team in assists. If pass deflections were an official stat, George could likely lead the league, as his long arms and anticipation allow him to routinely break up passes and disrupt opponents' sets.
In fact, George has the potential to be one of the very best defenders in the league, and for now you'd be hard-pressed to find a better stopper the same age. Like a lot of young players -- he's still just 21 -- he's prone to bouts of inconsistency and lack of focus, which cause his field goal attempts and production to fluctuate wildly. But in time those kinks should be worked out.
Also, under his picture is this caption: "Paul George's length and athleticism has him on the cusp of stardom."
