George: Pacers 'could easily be a 115-point team a night'
The Indiana Pacers' offense averaged 102.2 points per game last season with a pace of 98.99, good enough for 17th and 10th in the NBA, respectively.
All-Star forward Paul George feels his team can improve upon those numbers under new head coach Nate McMillan, who has been open about his desire for the Pacers to run more.
"Everything was just free flow and we're still trying to figure it out," George told the Indy Star's Nate Taylor about the adjustment of learning a new offense in training camp.
"We've been so used to a set or calling of plays and now we're getting that freedom. I think that's going to take some time, but once we get it, we could easily be a 115-point team a night."
George's remarks came a day after the Pacers dropped 113 points in a 113-96 exhibition victory over the New Orelans Pelicans in their preseason opener Tuesday.
The last time McMillan coached for an entire season was in 2010-11 for the Portland Trail Blazers, who were the slowest team in the league that year with a pace of just 90.82. It's certainly a poor indication of what may come now that he's calling the shots in Indiana, although he may have more appropriate talent at his disposal now for a run-and-gun offense.
Indiana's revamped roster includes both All-Star Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, who should be able to keep up with the likes of George and sophomore big Myles Turner in the starting lineup.
Al Jefferson, though, is slower than molasses, with knee and calf injuries hindering his mobility over the years. Nonetheless, all his coach expects of him is to keep up as best he can, which he did against New Orleans.
"My teammates did a good job of finding me on the inside," Jefferson said. "So far, so good. I like the new style of play. When you can move the ball and guys get in their sweet spot without calling plays, it just makes us that much more dangerous."
During camp, McMillan is having his roster scrimmage with a 14-second shot clock to force the Pacers to think on their feet, move the ball, and build towards becoming a faster unit.
"If we have a free flow where we're not coming down pounding the ball or we're not coming down looking to call plays, it puts us in attack mode every possession," George added. "Coach is fine with us getting a good look with 23 on the clock or two on the clock. It's on us to push the tempo and get good looks."
The Pacers ended the 2015-16 campaign with a 45-37 record, good enough for seventh in the Eastern Conference. They were eventually bounced in the opening round of the playoffs by the Toronto Raptors in a competitive seven-game series.