Paul George’s next mission: Being the Pacers’ biggest (and better) superstar since Reggie Miller: Basketball history has always fascinated Paul George. His goal, even as a teenager, was to be an NBA star. That meant watching Kobe Bryant, imitating Kobe Bryant and idolizing Kobe Bryant, his favorite player. A few years ago, after solidifying his career with the Indiana Pacers, George began studying a new player. He was told by just about everyone in Indiana that this player was a legend, a charismatic man Hoosiers will never forget, a standard for future stars from whom to learn. The more George researched the skinny, flamboyant man in the blue and gold uniform, the more he was impressed. -- The Indianapolis Star

Jeff Teague anxious for hometown debut: New Indiana Pacers point guard Jeff Teague reminds friends, family and fans that tickets are still available for the season opener versus the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. "I'm only buying tickets for my mom and dad," said Teague with a smile. -- WTHR Sports

10 things to watch as Pacers open season: With the team gathered for its annual dinner before training camp, Nate McMillan addressed the room and asked for the remaining members of the Pacers 2014 Eastern Conference Finals team to stand up. Only one player stood: Paul George. “This organization has had a lot of success but that success is in the past,” McMillan said, explaining what he hoped to illustrate in that moment. “We have to establish ourselves as a good team and we don’t have those guys who were here in the past. We have to create our own identity. That was really the reason for showing that.” Talk about making a point quickly. -- 1070thefan.com

Pacers Season Outlook: Exclamations and Questions: The 50th season in the history of the Pacers franchise is upon us, nearly as much a mystery as the first. They have six new players, a new head coach and, essentially, three new starters. Their six exhibition games proved little, as exhibition games tend to do. There are plenty of reasons for optimism, but also legitimate reasons to doubt. -- Pacers.com