Paul George: 'I want to be the MVP this year'

Paul George is no longer concerned about his left leg or how his body will react to an almost season-long injury. He's ready, perhaps more than ever in his career, to take full control of the Indiana Pacers. During Monday's media day, George was not shy about his aspirations, for himself and for the team.

George wants to win the MVP award.

"I still understand I'm coming off the injury, but I'm trying to block all that out," he said. "I'm trying to come into this year as if I played last year and had another amazing season. I have the same goal. I wasn't the MVP last year. I want to be the MVP this year. I still want to be efficient."

George also thinks, unlike many analysts, that the Pacers can contend in the Eastern Conference.

"We got a real shot at being in the top three in the East," he said. "We have to track a lot more and double-team a lot more. It will probably be a chaotic defense. But we're more than capable of doing this."

In the next breath, George said the Pacers have a better roster than the Atlanta Hawks, who had the best record in the Eastern Conference last year. He's confident in George Hill's growth, in Monta Ellis' scoring ability and in Ian Mahinmi's defense at the rim.

Plus, he expects the Pacers will be a harder team to guard this season.

"If you're playing with two bigs, and you take one big and put him on the perimeter, that really opens the lanes and opens up driving lanes for guys to get to the basket," George said. "Then you have great offensive weapons on the perimeter like myself, Monta and G-Hill, who are great playmakers and scorers, and you surround them with sharpshooters; it's what you dream as an offensive player."

More than any other player, George will be the key to whether the Pacers transform themselves into a successful team that can space the floor and score at a higher rate. Coach Frank Vogel said George will start training camp as the starting power forward, a move George has mixed emotions about.

"This is worth exploring," Vogel said of revamping the offense. "This is something we really think he's going to like."

George said he enjoys having more ball handlers on the court on offense, but he is also concerned about guarding bigger and taller players who could bully him around in the paint.

But for now, George said he was confident he can be a prolific player — again — because the six games he played last year let him know where he was, both physically and emotionally. With a new season, a new roster and a bigger role, George wants to play at his best. And if he does that, he expects to win the MVP award.

To end his interview session at media day, the last question for George was a simple one: What will it take for him to win the MVP award?

"I've got to win, simple as that," he said. "I've got to win. I've got to give myself and this team the best chance to win. Everything else will take care of itself."

Follow Star reporter Nate Taylor on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

• PACERS XTRA: Download the IndyStar's Pacers app for your mobile device