- Paul George cites injuries as the reason the Indiana Pacers fell short of an NBA championship
- The Clippers star reminisces about the 2013-14 season when the Pacers faced LeBron James and the Miami Heat
- Despite his injury, George remains confident in the Pacers’ championship potential during that era
Paul George expressed his belief that the Indiana Pacers could have won an NBA championship if he hadn’t suffered a devastating injury. George, who was having a breakout season, felt confident that his team could have defeated LeBron James and his crew in the Eastern Conference Finals.
In a recent episode of the Stephen A. Smith podcast, George expressed a belief that his Pacers could have beaten LeBron and won the title if not for his injury:
“Absolutely.”
“I honestly believe we’d have won a championship, had I been healthy going forward at some point in Indiana.” (20:00)
George revisited the 2013-14 NBA season, a pivotal moment in his career. During that season, he had a breakout year, averaging over 20 points per game (25.5). The Pacers, led by George, reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced off against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
George revisited the 2013-14 NBA season, a pivotal moment in his career. During that season, he had a breakout year, averaging over 20 points per game. The Pacers, led by George, reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced off against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Looking Back At The 2014 Eastern Conference Finals
The 2014 Eastern Conference Finals remains one of the most memorable and fiercely contested series in NBA history. It pitted two basketball powerhouses against each other: the Miami Heat, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, and the Indiana Pacers, led by Paul George and Roy Hibbert.
Both teams had battled their way through a grueling regular season to secure their spot in the conference finals.
The series was highly anticipated as it showcased contrasting styles of play. The Heat’s “Big Three” relied on their star power and fast-paced offense, while the Pacers prided themselves on their rugged defense and teamwork.
Paul George’s emergence as a superstar was one of the defining storylines of the series. He consistently delivered clutch performances, showcasing his scoring ability and defensive prowess. George’s epic duel with LeBron James added to the series’ intrigue, as they exchanged blows in spectacular fashion.
The series was a grueling affair that tested the mettle of both teams. LeBron James was a force of nature throughout, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Ultimately, the Miami Heat prevailed, winning the series 4-2 and earning a ticket to the NBA Finals.
Paul George And Kwahi Leonard Expected To Be Healthy Before Training Camp
The anticipation among Los Angeles Clippers fans is reaching a fever pitch as the news of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard’s expected return to full health before the upcoming training camp is making headlines. Head coach Tyronn Lue recently shared this promising update, instilling hope in the Clippers’ faithful.
Both George and Leonard endured injury setbacks that significantly impacted the team’s performance, leading to an early exit from the playoffs last season.
The Clippers are expecting Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to be ready for training camp
When their head coach, Ty Lue, joined @TheFrankIsola and @Scalabrine he gave an update on the superstars and discussed what kind of team they are when they're healthy#ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/cCqOIHgBX4
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 31, 2023
The Clippers heavily relied on their star duo, and their absence was palpably felt on the court. However, the prospect of having both players back at 100% is injecting optimism into the franchise.
Paul George, despite his late-season injury setback, had a stellar regular season, averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game in 56 appearances.
Kawhi Leonard, who went down during the first round of the playoffs, boasted impressive stats of 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists over 52 regular season games. These numbers underscore the significant impact they can have when they’re in top form.
All eyes will be on the Clippers as they head into training camp with the goal of finally achieving postseason success. The return of George and Leonard, along with the has raised the stakes and expectations for the Clippers, making them a team to watch in the upcoming season.
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