Paul George recently told ESPN.com that he "isn't too thrilled" about changing positions to power forward.
Former teammate David West doesn't see the move taking place, anyway, at least not on a full-time basis.
"Nah, he ain't gonna play power forward," West said, laughing.
Can George do it?
"I don't know," West said Monday. "He can play. He's very versatile. But I don't think that's a part of his makeup. He's a wing. He's a playmaker, a creator. He'll probably do it in spots. But something that he's going to consistently play? I don't think so."
More than a year removed from surgery on his broken right leg, George has expressed reluctance to move from his customary 3 spot, but he said he'd be "open" to making the switch if it's what's best for the team. Pacers coach Frank Vogel told the Indianapolis Star he's considering a starting five that includes George Hill at point guard, Monta Ellis at shooting guard, C.J. Milles at small forward, Ian Mahinmi at center, and Geroge at power forward.
"I pride myself on being a ballplayer first and foremost, but there's a difference playing the 4," George said. "And I know that's the way the league is going, having stretch 4s and perimeter-oriented big men. But those guys have been doing that for years and have size on me and strength on me. So it's gonna be an adjustment. I'm just used to being at the 3, and that's what made me special, is being able to guard perimeter guys."
Five months removed from winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award after the 2012-13 season, George agreed to a max contract with Indiana, only to make his first All-Star start just five months later. During the next season, George played a major role in leading Indiana to the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
But all the momentum George had built up came to a halt on Aug. 1, 2014, when he suffered a broken right leg during a Team USA scrimmage.
George returned in time to play last season in Indiana's last six games in a limited capacity.
Now back at full health, George expects to return to play at an elite level.
"Again, I think having the focus I had over the summer has prepared me for this moment, and I'm not coming back hesitating. I'm not coming back second-guessing myself," George said. "I'm almost coming back as if I had a year to just look back at how I came to where I'm at, how I can get better and how can I improve off of that through the whole year. A lot of guys get about three months to work on their game. I feel like I had a whole year to really work on my game and work on my body. So I feel great coming into a new year."
Information from the Associated Press and ESPN staff writer Mike Mazzeo was used in this report.
