Paul George ready to play power forward, but first a home run

Paul George is not only OK playing power forward for the Indiana Pacers -- he's been working at it.

"I'll be ready for it. I'm working on making that change and being prepared to play some forward this year," George said Thursday. "I understand what Larry (Bird) wants as far as playing the faster pace. I mean, I'm for it. That's the way the league is going nowadays."

George was hanging out at Victory Field, hosting the seventh annual Caroline Symmes Celebrity Softball Challenge, benefiting the Indiana Children's Wish Fund. Robert Mathis and Dwayne Allen of the Indianapolis Colts were his co-hosts.

George has been in Los Angeles for the summer but came to Indy for the event.

"I'm working out, training. I got a great start. I got a great start for the summer," he said.

George was out most of last season, recovering from a broken right leg. He returned for the final six games, but then suffered a strained left calf in the season finale.



"I'm getting better," he said. "I'm close to being 100 (percent)."



After last season, Bird had some ideas for George when he returns this season.

"David is our starter, but when we go smaller, we'd like to see Paul maybe play some (power forward) and you know everybody says, 'You'll have a problem on the defensive end.' Well, I don't think so," Bird said in April. "He can guard about anybody, and then on the other end, it's a major plus for us."

But, all Pacers talk aside, George was taking his job as a softball player seriously. He showed up hours early for batting practice — and slammed some home runs.

He was hoping for more during the game.

"I think I got a good shot (at a home run)," he said. "It means a lot (to be here). At the end of the day, this is what it's for. It's for the kids. For us to come out here and put on a show, have fun with this. No one knows what they're doing, but we're all here to have fun."

Dwayne Allen hopes people think Colts are awful

Allen hadn't heard the latest power rankings, particularly the one that had them outside the top 10 -- SI Monday Morning Quarterback's Peter King ranked the Colts 11th this week.

But boy did that make him happy.

"All I've heard is that we are the team to beat, but that's great news," said Allen. "I love that."

Just think back to 2012, when the Colts were picked by some to be last in the league and then were able to make it to the playoffs, he said.

"I hope people have low expectations of us," he said, "so that we can go out and sneak up on them."

Robert Mathis still hates quarterbacks

Not a darn thing changed while Mathis was out last season. He hated quarterbacks then and, as he sets to return this season, he still hates them.

His softball jersey Thursday night even said so on the back: "Still hates QBs."

"I hate quarterbacks. It's really kind of self-explanatory," he said. "But it's just something to have a little fun."

Mathis said he's itching to get back on the field.

"I've been gone too long, so it's time for football," he said. "Can't wait to get back."

Follow Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow.