It’s been more than 40 years, but I can still remember my late father saying it over and over through my rather illustrious teenage years: “Son, when are you going to grow up?” he would holler. Looking back, I guess there’s a certain sense of normality to all those times when he wondered if I might ever trade in my dirt bike for a navy blue blazer and start to get serious about my life. It took me longer than he would have preferred and certainly more than it should have, but in the end I discovered that college couldn’t be a six-year plan, and a W-2 wasn’t a bad thing. Yes, it took awhile for it all to kick in, and while there are a few of you out there who still would beg to differ, I finally became a little more mature.
If you recall, I wrote back in February that it was time for Paul George to become the leader of the Indiana Pacers, both on and off the court. After all, he’s now 26 years of age and armed with a contract that will pay him $90 million. Add to that some great endorsement deals, and you can see why everyone on the outside looking in would say this guy has arrived and is set to conquer the NBA, if not the entire free world. However, there is one rather significant kink in his armor that both George and the Pacers would rather not discuss with anyone — his obvious lack of maturity, which was once again on display recently at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where he booted the basketball into the crowd, striking a woman in the face, because he did not appreciate an official’s call. While the fan was not injured, George offered an obligatory apology, gave her a condescending hug and later told the local media (who had gathered in the locker room to toss him an underhanded lob on the matter) that he obviously needed to practice his soccer skills. The Pacers have chosen not to do anything about the matter (big surprise), and it looks as though even the NBA is giving the gifted — yet obviously troubled — George a pass.
I know, you’re thinking the troubled label is a bit much and I’m being too harsh on him. Uh, no. I’m not. His constant griping to the officials about the calls he should be getting because his mug is now plastered on a popular NBA video game is both unwarranted and stale. It is, however, the impetus for his sulking and brooding when things aren’t going his way on the court and the exact reason we saw his Pele impression the other night against Chicago. When you couple that with his unconscionable Twitter statement about domestic violence and his embarrassing paternity matters, there is more than just a pattern here. It’s an acute case of immaturity and one that probably can’t be treated quickly due to the posse of enablers around him that, unfortunately, includes his employer as well.
Sure, he’s not the first athlete that behaved poorly after he began to savor the sweet taste of financial success, and yes, I do think he earned his big contract with some rather stellar play. However, he’s reached a crossroad in his career and appears to be blinded by those who continually tell him how great he is. Sure, when this guy is on, he’s an incredible talent that can dominate a game for a sustained period, and his recovery from a horrific leg injury is nothing short of remarkable. But far too often, the pouting and the moodiness that occur when the referees don’t bow to him cause him to lose focus and impact his game on both ends of the floor. His teammates sense it, too, and it’s becoming contagious.
This isn’t something new, and it certainly isn’t the dominant factor in terms of the Pacers’ lethargic start this season, which at this point is more about defense than about George’s inability to grow up and play hard every night regardless of the officiating. The franchise has pinned its future on this talented young man, but in some ways they are his own worst enemy as they sit by in an idle mode, not holding him accountable for his transgressions.
It’s worth mentioning (and then some) that George has been benevolent off the floor and helped a number of people in the community who are less fortunate than he. He’s soft-spoken and polite, and while all that makes it hard to say this, it’s time for him to grow up and be the player he’s paid handsomely to be. If he can’t do that, the Pacers will have to entertain trade offers for a player who can’t figure out that he will never be a superstar until he can curtail his emotions and focus on playing the game that seems to come so easily to him. Sound crazy? Hardly. Both Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul Jabbar were dealt away in their prime, so it could certainly happen to George. Question is, does he care while armed with a fat contract and the likelihood of an increased maximum deal on the horizon? Probably not, and that’s both a problem and a shame in the same breath. Time will tell what Larry Bird will do with this situation, but one thing is for sure: George is in no hurry to grow up, and that’s something the Pacers can’t allow to continue. Stay tuned, and if you’re sitting in the floor seats, make sure you’re wearing face protection.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Paul George will be traded before his current deal expires, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
Danny Bridges is an award-winning journalist and a longtime sports columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder. He covers college, professional sports and especially all things IndyCar racing. He can be reached at 317-370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
