Insider: Behind Paul George, Pacers regain their super powers, beat Celtics

BOSTON – Back when Frank Vogel worked for the Boston Celtics, spending the prime of his youth inside a darkened video room and daily beating then head coach Rick Pitino to TD Garden, he was on the pathway to taking the head seat for a team of his own one day. Though he had his aspirations, Vogel could not have imagined just how challenging life as an NBA coach can be.

One day you can be starting the year 1-5 after a loss to the Boston Celtics when your starting lineup reads like a scroll of former or forgotten Pacers. The next, and more specifically on Wednesday night, you're sailing over the .500 mark after beating the Celtics 102-91 when your starting lineup consists of a gelling unit that features a playmaking weapon, one of the best defensive guards in the league and a star bidding for Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors.

The difference between the Pacers' early season loss in Boston last year is the same reason why they will most certainly challenge for a playoff spot in the 2015-16 season.

Now there's Monta Ellis filling up the stat sheet for 13 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. And George Hill laying aside his capable offensive game so that he can shut down the highest scoring point guard in the conference, Isaiah Thomas.

• BOX SCORE: Pacers 102, Celtics 91

Above all, there's Paul George. Unlike last year, Vogel has his guy who can produce 26 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists for this third double-double in the last five games. And though the Pacers (now 5-4) suffered a blow when rookie center Myles Turner, the 11th pick of the last summer's draft, fractured his left thumb and left the arena with his hand heavily bandaged, the best player still gives Indiana a chance.

"I felt like Superman without his cape, without his powers," Vogel said, referring to coaching last season without George, who missed the first 76 games while rehabilitating his broken leg.

"We became human. I personally felt that way," Vogel continued. "Now I have him back. I have my powers back."

The metaphor was intended with good humor, but still drove home an important point. In a landscape where sharing the ball is heralded, NBA teams still need that one guy who can rise above the rest, break down a defender in isolation and get a bucket. In George, the Pacers have such super powers.

So after a timeout with 5:47 remaining in the game, the Pacers — leading by five — turned back to the starters to close out the game. Right on cue, George gave Vogel his cape.

The Pacers ran the same action to exploit George's size over Celtics defender Marcus Smart near the post. Following the timeout, George worked from the left wing, took one dribble to get into the paint, driving into Smart's chest and scoring over his two outstretched hands. Two plays later, George recognized the double team and bounced a behind-the-back pass to a cutting Ian Mahinmi for a layup. Then once again facing Smart in isolation, George took one dribble towards the baseline and swished in the 13-foot jumper.

"I knew I just had to get to a spot on the floor and raise up," George said. "(Smart) is a good defender. He's very aggressive, very physical but I knew once I'd get to a spot, he couldn't contest it."

In between George's plays, Ellis stripped Thomas and raced down court to beat Jared Sullinger for the fast break layup. Later in the closing stretch, Ellis, too, delivered a behind-the-back assist to Mahinmi and the Pacers produced 20 assists on 38 made field goals.

"Just playing the game of basketball," Ellis said, explaining another night when he led the team in assists. "Whatever it takes for us to win. That's all I want to do – is win the game."

After the victory, Vogel fielded plenty of questions about George, his offensive performance and his defensive panache. However, Vogel could not pass up a chance to praise Hill.

During last year's injury-plagued season, the early absence of Hill was just as significant as George's when the Pacers stumbled along with makeshift lineups. Now healthy, Hill has played as the team's most consistent 3-point shooter but on Wednesday, performed as the defensive stopper. The 5-9 Thomas came into the game averaging more than 20 points but while largely defended by Hill, scored just 14 on 4-of-13 shooting.

"I also want to say George Hill doesn't get ever mentioned as one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA and I think that's a crime," Vogel said. "He did a great job on Isaiah Thomas, one of the most difficult guys to guard at the point guard spot. He's one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA. He deserves some recognition."

Still, the post-game questions focused on George's acts. So Vogel summed it up best. Back when he was the video coordinator, so devoted to the job that one morning of a game day he had surgery to repair a torn ACL and later the same night was back at the arena in time for a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, his life was a grind. Now as a head coach, the days can be even more grueling but there's always one way to make life easier.

"Great players," Vogel said, "make coaches look really good."

Contact Star reporter Candace Buckner at candace.buckner@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.