2014 NBA Playoffs: Paul George steps up, keeps Pacers season alive

(1) Indiana Pacers 93, (2) Miami Heat 90
Paul George: 37 points (15-28 FG,) 6 rebounds, 6 steals, 2 assists
Dwyane Wade: 18 points (7-14 FG,) 8 rebounds, 7 assists

With his team down 3-1 in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, and his season on the brink, Paul George took full responsibility in extending Indiana's season and forcing a Game 6 against the Miami Heat.

George registered one of the most stellar Pacer playoff performances in recent memory, as his 37 points (31 in the 2nd half,) 6 rebounds and 6 steals propelled Indy to a season salvaging victory.

21 of his 31 2nd half points came in the all important fourth quarter, where some legacies are molded or simply erode away.

Miami Heat superstar LeBron James was parked on the bench for majority of the game, as some iffy foul calls forced him to the sideline. James played only 24 minutes, scored only 7 points (2-10 FG) and had 4 assists and 2 rebounds.

James' 7 points is the fewest he's ever had in a playoff game.

With LeBron being strapped to the bench for the bulk of the game, Paul George drew the assignment of stopping the league's best shooting guard in Dwyane Wade. This task proved to be less tedious and strenuous on George, who looked fresh and engaged in the final period of the contest.

In the fourth, George had his legs and wasn't experiencing that crippling exhaustion that usually stems from having to contain LeBron James over the 48 minutes in a professional basketball game.

From 6:22 on in the 4th quarter, George had 4 of Indiana's 5 field goals and 13 of their final 17 points. This includes Paul nailing a huge three pointer with 46 seconds left after Heat big man Chris Bosh nailed a three the prior possession to cut it to a one point Pacer lead.

It was my belief, that if this game came down to big shot making and taking, Miami would march away victorious. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade would be too much to overcome, and the threats multiply as Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers and Ray Allen all have the capability of making the dagger shot.

Usually, Indiana tends to cower away in the big moments, plagued by uncertainty and stagnation on the offensive end. Many become unsure of who will take and make the big shot, but Paul George put a stern dismissal to these notions tonight.

George was focused, fearless and fiery, countering every big Miami play with a dazzling maneuver of his own. George's dominance was not restricted to the offensive end, as his elite defense was in full throttle during tonight's contest.

George and Lance Stephenson refused to rest on their laurels, picking up Wade, Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole at almost full court, forcing them to squander away the rhythm Miami had for the entire first half.

George's game was a blend of activity, assertiveness and bounciness. He imposed his will all over the court, borrowing some of that aggression and energy Lance Stephenson seems to have such a high dosage of.

Many fans question if Paul George has entered the realm of superstardom that LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul dwell in. George is one of the most debated figures when it comes to discussing top ten NBA players, and Wednesday night he showcased to the entire world that he's worthy of being mentioned amongst the NBA's elite.

For some eerie reason, their seems to be an unwritten rule that Paul George must accomplish what it takes some stars ten plus years to accomplish in the beginning stages of his career. George is only 24, his best days are ahead of him and he shouldn't be faulted for Indiana falling victim to an all-time great Miami Heat team.

Miami boasts championship experience, deep, poised veteran talent, an extremely skilled forward in Chris Bosh, the league's best shooting guard in Dwyane Wade and the world's best player in LeBron James.

Miami never seems panicked when Indiana starts to rally, or muster up a great deal of momentum. They remain unfazed, with their mind fixated on victory. Indiana eventually wants to mimic this strong mental makeup, the makeup that is usually associated with a championship caliber team.

As each grueling game unfolds, it's illustrated to George and these Pacers what's needed to have their name spewed out when mentioning the league's top tier teams. They want to abandon the inconsistencies that have hampered them for the entire second half of the season, for more gritty and brute play.

They want to develop that sense of calmness that Miami firmly grasps onto even in the most chaotic of situations. Showings such as this simply paint George as the reliable figure who can deliver a victory even when the odds seem to be stacked against you.

With every attack of the basket, George pushed Miami back on their heels. With each flick of the wrist, Paul George gave the Indiana faithful a reason to leap out of their chair and cheer. Each and every one of George's basket restored the faith that Miami had done an excellent job of stripping away in Games 2, 3 and 4.

Now, Indiana must venture into Miami, and face an eager and angered Heat team who lost the opportunity to close this Indiana team out in Game 5. Despite LeBron James not leaving his usually massive imprint on this game, the Heat still had the opportunity to emerge victorious.

They only lost by three points, and will look to bury this Indy team once and for all on Friday in front of their sure to be hysterical home crowd.

But for tonight, the exciting Pacer play was led by Paul George who pushed himself one step closer into the elite player conversation with this performance. George is in the intermediate stages of shaping his legacy, and this game tonight was a mesmerizing start.

Does Indiana have a chance in Game 6? Will this series go to a Game 7? Share thoughts and opinions on Twitter (@wcboyer24) and continue to support The Basketball Society.

2014 NBA Playoffs: Wiz Kids

On Tuesday night in Chicago, the nation got their first glimpse of John Wall and Bradley Beal's maturation process. The youthful backcourt along with Nene's 17 points and 7 rebounds, helped the Wizards snag away Game 2 of the series from Chicago 101-99.

Beal led the way with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 three pointers, and Wall pitched in with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists.

Bradley made several big shots down the stretch for his ball club, and although he clanked the potential game winning shot at the end of regulation, Washington may have not been in the situation to crown themselves victorious without Beal and his 11 fourth quarter points.

Wall may not have shot the ball well, but his impact in the contest proved to be pivotal in delivering Washington a win. He showed confidence, belief and poise, something you wouldn't expect from a young point guard in their first playoff series.

This game, these moments are important in the development in a young tandem such as Wall and Beal. Through these critical playoff moments they garner experience, which is one of the games best teachers. Knowing how to conduct yourself in crunch time is what allows certain duo's and or teams to elevate their status from good to great.

Having that trust, belief and fluency between two players is a beautiful thing to watch. John and Brad are beginning to have their talents mesh, and sooner or later it will become overwhelming for the majority of their foes.

Many accuse Wall of being an inconsistent jump shooter, but where one lacks the other excels. Wall wields incredible quickness and athletic ability, along with solid court vision and a knack for scoring. He can get to the hole and penetrate beautifully.

Beal on the other hand, punctures through the toughest defense with his sly pick and roll play and deep range from three. His beautiful stroke becomes a burden for the opposition, as he hammers them with three point bombs all night long.

These two young players are special. When you have special talent, your team is guaranteed special moments. This can be considered one of the first, as Washington holds onto it's first 2-0 series lead since 1982, well before Wall or Beal were born.

With growth comes pains. At times Wall and Beal may folly and or endure some sort of failure. There will for sure be mistakes, but when these miscues become a rare occurrence, you know you've made the leap from good to great.

I am personally happy for both of these players, as I've been high on Bradley Beal since his days at Florida. I developed a deep infatuation with his game, and alerted all my friends to be on the lookout for him.

In Wall's case, I have a deep respect for him as he's stuck it out in Washington. Wall came into the NBA with not the sharpest basketball IQ or shooting ability. He's worked on both, and it's impact has been evident all season long.

He never complained when Washington was a team plagued by egocentric and immature players. He Wall never pouted when changes were made. He focused on himself, and did everything he could to improve his game, and power Washington to the postseason. They are here now, and are making plenty of noise with a 2-0 series lead.

Wall and Beal are proving to basketball fans that they are a tandem to be reckoned with. Wall was rewarded for his stellar play with his first ever all-star appearance this year, and Beal is just beginning to scratch the surface of his all-star talent.

These two guys are on their way to stardom. For basketball fans, buckle up and enjoy the show, it's going to be fascinating watching these two take major steps towards greatness.

Is this series officially over for Chicago? Is Washington legit? Hit me with thoughts and opinions on twitter (@wcboyer24) and remember to continue to support The Basketball Society. 

#4 - Houston Rockets

I thought Dwight Howard made the best decision from a basketball standpoint when he opted to leave the Los Angeles Lakers via free agency and sign the max contract for four years with the Houston Rockets. The big story, deservingly, is Howard pairing up with James Harden, one of the most lethal scorers and creators in the NBA. For me, that is the focal point that makes this team lightyears better with Howard as the anchor.

The Houston Rockets were second in the NBA in scoring last season at 106 PPG, but also finished 28th in points allowed. For a team that averaged nearly 29 three-point attempts per game, and even tied the league record for most made in one game (23) it wouldn't seem like Dwight Howard is the ideal fit. Besides now having a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, all you really need to know is Howard will be setting high ball screens for James Harden. If the idea of having to defend that doesn't freak you out, then frankly, you've never watched James Harden. In pick-and-roll situations Harden might be the biggest threat of any ball handler in the league; he has the ability to reject screens and punish you with the outside shot, or use the screen and employ his exceptional facilitating to find shooters such as Chandler Parsons, Patrick Beverly, or even Jeremy Lin. These screens will now be set by the broad-shouldered Howard, who as the roll man, is much more of a threat than Omer Asik. 

Howard thinks his new team resembles the look of his Orlando Magic squad that reached the NBA Finals in 2009. That Orlando team did not have anyone of Harden's individual talent, but you will see similarities in how Howard's presence is able to free up others on the Houston perimeter. Encouraging is head coach Kevin McHale, one of the premiere post players of all time, and Hakeem Olajuwon, mentor to the Rockets organization, now actively part of Howard's development. Also encouraging is the addition of veteran Ronnie Brewer for added defense. This team now must be acknowledged this season and for the considerable future.

- Martin S. @marley_mcfly

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