Paul George Thinks He Can Win the NBA MVP Award

Having pushed LeBron James and the Miami Heat to the brink in the Eastern Conference Finals, Paul George strongly agrees with teammate Roy Hibbert’s prediction: the future is very bright for George and the Indiana Pacers. George even seems to think he will someday replace LeBron as the NBA’s best player. Per Fox Sports: “Roy Hibbert, George’s teammate on the Indiana Pacers, said after a Game 6 Eastern Conference finals win Saturday over the Miami Heat that George could be holding the trophy next year. ‘He’s the future,’ Hibbert said. ‘He has a chance to be MVP of this league next year.’ George’s reaction to what Hibbert said? ‘Obviously, I agree with him,’ George said after Monday’s shootaround in preparation for the evening Game 7 against James’ Heat. ‘The more and more I get comfortable in this league and the more and more I find myself, I think I am capable of achieving that award.’ James has won the past two MVP trophies and four of the last five. Is George ready to slow James’ run next season? ‘Maybe not so quick as next year,’ said George, a third-year man who averaged 17.4 points during the regular season while being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. ‘But in my career, I wouldn’t be satisfied if I don’t win the award.’ George is optimistic about one day getting the trophy away from fellow small forward James. ‘He is the MVP,’ George said. ‘And as they say, to be the best you got to beat the best.’ […] George is a confident guy. He’s hopeful of getting a maximum contract whenever he signs his next deal. ‘I would hope,’ George said. ‘I would hope. Max guys get the job done at this time (the playoffs).’ George, making $2.6 million this season and $3.3 million next season, could sign an maximum extension this summer with the Pacers that could start at around $14 million for 2014-15. But he stopped short of saying he wants to get his deal done this offseason.”