Frank Vogel Says Paul George Deserves All-Star Consideration


Yes, it is that time of the season when NBA coaches begin to push their players’ All-Star candindacy. Frank Vogel says that Indiana Pacers forward Paul George should be seriously considered for the big mid-season game. Per the Indy Star: “He averaged 18.8 points in December and kicked off the new year by scoring 29 against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. He’s averaging 16.9 points on the season and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week last month. What George has in his favor over a player such as Toronto’s DeMar DeRozen is that the Pacers (19-13) have a winning record, something coaches usually take into consideration when voting. ‘He’s definitely worthy of consideration,’ Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. ‘When you have a team that is fourth in the East, you usually get one or two All Stars who go. Our guys, we don’t have 25-points-a-game guys on our team, but David (West) and Paul are certainly playing at All-Star levels right now.’ George is playing so well that his scoreless game at Golden State last month has become a distant memory. He has recorded six double-doubles this season, including four in the past eight games. He also has scored in double figures in 15 straight games. […] He’s on his way to joining former Pacer Ron Artest as the franchise’s next two-way player. ‘If you’re a two-way player, that means you’re special because there’s not many of them in the game today,’ GM Kevin Pritchard said. ‘Paul’s on his way to being that. And the thing about him is that he’s always looking to get better. He doesn’t believe in settling.’ Vogel added, ‘Paul George is becoming a beast of a player on both ends of the court. He’s probably the best wing defender in the NBA.'”