After 1st start at PF, George doubts he's 'cut out for 4-spot'

Paul George's first game playing power forward for the Indiana Pacers did nothing to sway his original self-assessment: he's a small forward who needs to be on the wing.

George dropped a game-high 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting in 23 minutes of action in a 110-105 preseason loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. Indiana's small-ball lineup seemed to favor George on the offensive end, with the 25-year-old exploiting his quickness advantage against elite defender Anthony Davis.

Even though working as a power forward had its benefits in terms of his scoring, on the defensive end, the two-time All-Star couldn't help but feel a tad overwhelmed at his new position.

"I don't know if I'm cut out for a four-spot," George said following the game, according to the Indianapolis Star's Candace Buckner. "I don't know if this is my position."

"Defensively, it's rough. It's rough," he added. "It's an adjustment because I'm not used to doing some of the things out there."

Playing consistent minutes at the four-spot represents uncharted waters for George, who's spent more than two-thirds of his five-year career at small forward. Head coach Frank Vogel is optimistic the transition will benefit both the player and the team, especially since George will continue to receive some playing time at the wing in more traditional lineups as well.

"He's looked fantastic at it in my mind," Vogel said about George at power forward during the team's recent practices. "I'm really excited about it. I think he has embraced it. We will give him some minutes at (small forward) because we're going to be both, it's not going to be all or none."

George no longer has the luxury of playing alongside an esteemed frontcourt like veteran David West and rim protector Roy Hibbert, who are now with the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively. There's a drop-off in talent to current Pacers Jordan Hill, Myles Turner, and Ian Mahinmi, but George still feels at his best in those types of lineups with two legitimate big men.

It's only been one measly preseason outing, yet it appears George isn't as willing as Vogel might believe he is to continue at his new position. George will reportedly meet with his coach and team president Larry Bird to get their thoughts on his performance.

Related: Pacers shouldn't force Paul George to play power forward

"I mean, you put four wings out there. At times we're going to kick some ass," George said. "We're going to look good at times, but then you know there's going to be times when it's not going to look so good."