Pacers' George NBA's most improved
Indiana Pacers forward Paul George was named the NBA's Most Improved Player, receiving 52 first-place votes from a panel of 120 media members.
George, a third-year veteran who replaced Danny Granger in the lineup, received 311 of a possible 1,080 points. Greivis Vasquez of the New Orleans (146 points, 13 first-place votes) and the Milwaukee Bucks' Larry Sanders (141 points, 10 first-place votes) finished second and third, respectively.
George had 23 double-doubles in 2012-13. He entered the 2012-13 campaign with career averages of 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals, only to establish career highs with a team-high 17.4 points, along with 7.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals.
George was the only player in the league to record at least 140 steals (143) and 50 blocks (51).
George is the third member of the Pacers to receive the most improved player honor, joining Jalen Rose (2000) and Jermaine O'Neal (2002).
