Pacers' Paul George gets 'clarification' on his role at power forward from Vogel, Bird

Paul George drew national attention by making comments about his new role as the Indiana Pacers starting power forward after the first exhibition game. George matched up against New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis – either a welcomed introductory challenge or a complete nightmare depending on your view – and later opined: “I don’t know if I’m cut out for a 4 spot. I don’t know if this is my position.”

Then, George said he would seek input from coach Frank Vogel and team president of basketball operations Larry Bird into how he performed at the position. By Monday afternoon, George had spoken to them and found more interpretation.

“Yeah, we talked about it,” George said after Monday’s practice. “Just going over what was the plan going forward.

“I mean, there was clarification on what we’re (doing) going forward,” George added later. “That’s what it was, just clarification.”

When asked if the “clarification” meant changes to his role, George said: “We’re going to still stick with it, see how it works.”

Then, when quizzed if he’s OK with that, George responded: “I’m a part of this team.”

As the Pacers’ starting power forward, George must learn the nuances of the position. Those differences from small forward are vast – from defensive positioning, the rebounding burden and even the often overlooked responsibility of having to remain creative and aggressive on the offensive end to exploit the mismatch with a slower, bigger opponent.

Those lessons should come in time, but by Monday the conversation with Vogel and Bird seemed to result in a reprieve from any brewing controversy. At least, for now.

Though George offered few specifics of this meeting, the “clarification” appears to be more like repetition.

“Nothing we haven’t said in the past,” Vogel responded when asked about the conversation with George. “We’re going to continue to evaluate and get his feedback and what he’s comfortable with and what he’s not comfortable with. We’re not going to put him in a position where he’s not comfortable with his role. We’re just not going to do that. But we’re going to play both small lineups and big lineups, and he understands that.”

As Vogel did on Saturday night against New Orleans, the plan will be to play George at his natural wing position when the Pacers rotate in two frontcourt players. With a bevy of bigs (Lavoy Allen, Jordan Hill, Ian Mahinmi, Myles Turner), the Pacers still can be flexible and play with a more traditional look. However after one preseason game – in fact, a loss in which Davis produced 18 points and eight rebounds without playing through the second half – George felt the matchup did not go well.

“We took it way left field. It’s Game 1 of the preseason, and we’re playing against arguably one of the best, if not the best, power forwards in this league,” George said on Monday. “So it was an adjustment. And (Davis) kicked my (butt). He kicked my (butt) Game 1.”

George and the Pacers will get a more moderate test in Detroit (7:30 p.m., Tuesday) against Ersan Ilyasova (who was 12-of-14 for 34 points in a game against Indiana last season). Ilyasova might be 6-10, 235, 15 pounds heavier than George, but he relies more on a perimeter game. Players such as Ilyasova are the reason the Pacers remain committed to playing with a smaller lineup.

“You can’t make small reactions. It’s going to be a big picture thing, and we’re going to do what’s best to win basketball games,” Vogel said. “Winning is more important than style of play, but this style of play, I think, gives us, this group, the best chance to win basketball games.”

Also, Vogel said he did not read much into George’s Saturday night statements.

“He knows the big picture, we’re all on the same page,” Vogel said. “I don’t have any problem with him speaking his mind.”

Then, Vogel quickly added: “As long as he’s communicating with me too. Which he is.”

Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.

Pacers at Pistons, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday