2010 NBA Rookie Preview: How Paul George Went From Unknown To Lottery Pick

Potential.

A simple three syllable word that has cost numerous general managers to lose their jobs. When it comes to drafts and rookies there are always prospects who get tabbed and labeled with this word.

This year's biggest potential prospect is Paul George, who played collegiality at Fresno State University. George is a tall, lengthy, explosive athlete (height: 6'8.75", wingspan: 6'11.25", standing reach: 8'11", video below since George did not participate in the Pre-Draft Combine) who is quick enough to play shooting guard and tall enough to play small forward.

Coming into the past college basketball season George was a relatively unknown. He had an okay freshman season posting a stat line of 14.3 PPG, 47 FG%, 44.7 3PT%, 6.2 RPG, 69.7 FT%. But with other freshmen like Tyreke Evans, Greg Monroe, Demar DeRozan, Ed Davis, and Kemba Walker playing for more recognizable programs they received most of the attention.

In his sophomore year George put up a line of 16.8 PPG, 42.4 FG%, 35.3 3PT%, 90.9 FT%, 7.2 RPG. While he saw a steady drop in his field goal and three-point percentage, he saw an amazing increase in his free throw percentage, while shooting more free throws per game.

As respectable as those stats are he was nowhere near the best player in the WAC conference--that honor would go to fellow 2010 draft classmate Luke Babbit--he did make All 2nd Team WAC.

Still many thought George was not ready to make a jump or that another year at Fresno State would help him develop his game more. He has the outside touch, but he still seemed raw.

That was until he started leaving team's in awe during his workouts. Making shot after shot, exploding to the rim during drills, and beating just about anybody up and down the court. Soon general managers saw the "p-word" oozing out of Paul George no matter who he worked out against.

There have been a great deal of prospects who have been labeled with the "p-word". Harold Miner was nicknamed Baby Jordan, that never worked out for the Miami Heat. Sam Bowie was supposed to be the next great center for the Portland Trailblazers but was better suited for the Injured Reserve. Ed O'Bannon came of a title run with UCLA with all the hype in world but never reached any of it.

What makes Paul George different from these and other busts who were thought to have potential? His role. George will not be looked at as the star of the Indiana Pacer team, that is Danny Granger's job. He won't even be the second option, that goes to newly acquired guard Darren Collison.

George will be asked to do what he does best: shoot and attack the rim. If he can adjust to the NBA game quickly enough and be efficient in the two areas they need from him Paul George can have an incredible rookie year for the Indiana Pacers, and maybe even get fans questioning why he was not drafted higher than 10th overall. 

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