Pacers' George on last season: 'We peaked too early'

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If only the lockout shortened season happened last year for the Indiana Pacers, then they might have avoided a collapse. 

Heralded as the team to end the Miami Heat's reign as Eastern Conference champions, the Pacers season began with optimism. But after a 44-13 start came spiraling down as the result of a 12-13 stumble into the playoff, the cracks were showing and a postseason departure was eminent. 

Paul George had a chance to reflect once more on a lost season on Sunday when speaking with the Los Angeles Times, and chalked it up to succeeding too early on. 

"We were still a great team. We still had pieces, despite the year we had. We had the pieces to win a championship. Ultimately we couldn't put it together at the right time. Had we started the playoffs in November or December we'd probably be holding up a trophy. We peaked too early."