It's Unlikely The Indiana Pacers Will Retire Paul George's Jersey Number
The lack of longevity could be the reason Indiana rejects the jersey retirement
This weekend is a special one for Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George. Not only will he be participating in the ninth All-Star game of his career but this particular one will be hosted by the Indiana Pacers, the team that drafted him in 2010.
With the annual All-Star event taking place in Indianapolis, it brings back memories for the forward. But with all the memories, it makes him wonder if they were good enough for the ultimate honor: a jersey retirement.
“Honestly, you think about the guys, there’s only what, [four] guys that’s retired there,” George told NBA writer Marc Spears. “But when you think about, again, the guys that are up there, Reggie, what, 18 years? I think for them it’s a longevity that stands out in that arena. I just didn’t play long enough there.”
Of course, the amount of years dedicated to a franchise plays a huge role in the retirement. But so do the special moments and George had a few of them in Indiana.
George’s tenure with the Pacers was highlighted by his ability to make them a respectable franchise again. In 2010, the Pacers made the postseason for the first time since 2006. It marked the first of four consecutive playoff runs by Indiana. Even though Danny Granger was the main caliber in their first two playoff appearances, George finally blossomed into a star.
Before the 2012-13 season began, Granger was diagnosed with tendinosis of the left knee, leaving George to lead the franchise. And he did just that. He averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals during that campaign, taking them to a third straight playoff appearance.
During the playoffs, George turned it up a notch. In the first round and Semifinals combined, he averaged 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds 5.0 assists, and 1.8 steals. His efforts allowed the Pacers to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. Even though they lost to the Miami Heat, they forced the series to seven games.
The next season was career-turning for George. He logged in a team-leading 21.7 points and 1.9 steals per game. When the Pacers made it back to the playoffs, he averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 steals. He led them to another Eastern Conference Finals appearance where they, once again, lost to the Heat.
George hasn’t surpassed the ones who came before him
Even with these factors considered, it still might difficult for George to get his Pacers jersey retired. Though he made the franchise relevant again, he was never able to get them to the Finals, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 2000.
As of right now, the Pacers have only retired four player jerseys: Reggie Miller, George McGinnis, Roger Brown and Mel Daniels. The main element they all share is that they helped lead the organization to the Finals, three of them even winning a championship. Although Miller made the Finals just once without achieving a title, he did push the series to six games while going up against the Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by the electrifying duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
The decision to retire George’s jersey has yet to be determined by the Pacers. But even if they choose not to, his time there was still special.
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Fansided’s “Wiz of Awes”. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson and Instagram @ckenzynelson