There are really only a couple types of leaders in professional sports: the strong, silent type, who generally leads by example, and those who are vocal. The latter of the two rarely minces any words and always provides a perspective that is candid and quite far from the realm of being politically correct.
Whether one is born with leadership traits or develops them over time, it’s clear not everyone is cut out for the role, and many are uncomfortable even attempting to assume the responsibility.
The Indiana Pacers for the past three seasons were reliant on David West for that leadership, both on and off the court.
While West excelled in that post, the position became available when he declined the opportunity to re-sign with the Pacers this past off-season, instead heading to San Antonio for a legit opportunity at a championship. Newly acquired Monta Ellis has tried to lead amongst his teammates, but with all due respect to his efforts, his history in Golden State and Dallas tell me he won’t pull it off with his new team.
That leaves only one logical candidate, their best player. For whatever reason, Paul George hasn’t shown a great deal of interest in assuming the role, despite the fact he is the most visible player the franchise has had since Reggie Miller.
Blessed with freakish athleticism and possessing basketball skills that are off the chart, it’s clearly time he declares this team as his own and makes both himself and his teammates accountable for anything occurring on or off the court. If a guy isn’t hustling, he has to tell him. Someone not practicing hard? Get in his grill and let him have it. It’s that simple, and making various excuses in post-game locker room press conferences simply has to stop.
Something tells me there are those in the Pacers organization who feel the same way. When l asked Pacers President Larry Bird four months ago on Media Day if he saw any leadership candidates on his roster, he grinned and said, “I don’t know, they’re awfully young.”
Now, if you want to ask me who I am to argue with someone as bright about the game as Bird, have at it. It’s simply a no brainer that his best player, now into his sixth season, must be the same force in the locker room and on the team bus that he is behind the three-point arc.
There are those who question the maturation process with George, citing embarrassing aspects of his social life and his ill-advised use of Twitter to make unacceptable comments regarding domestic violence. These lapses aside, he’s in a stratosphere salary-wise that demands his acceptance of a leader’s role, and he must tackle that at least in the same manner in which he approaches a commercial for Gatorade or Nike. It’s simply business and nothing else.
The Pacers claim they are reloading and not rebuilding, and that slogan can’t come to pass without someone to lead this team when the chips are down.
Watching George grace the court in the NBA All-Star Game was a thing of beauty, considering the seriousness of his injury that was not that long ago.
His employer was patient with his recovery from the catastrophic injury, but they can no longer afford to do such regarding his willingness to direct others.
For him to be an All-Star every night, he must tackle the responsibility of being the one on this team who leads, and he can’t do it quietly. The bottom line is he’s being paid a boatload of money to play basketball, and part of being the man is directing the band, too. If the Pacers are ever going to be relevant again in the Eastern Conference, George has to do more than produce big stats. He also has to offer leadership and direction to his teammates, and currently that’s just not happening.
The real question is how much longer will Bird and company allow the status quo to continue? Something tells me George senses it, and feels he’s up to the challenge. All I can ask is what are you waiting for, big guy? Take the leap and truly make your mark. It’s overdue.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Paul George can use a leadership role to take his career to new heights, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
