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There was no team meeting telling George he should score 30 points per game -- not on a team with as many offensive options as Indiana -- but Shaw told him he had to play aggressively. He told him that if the Pacers improved this season, it would be because of his growth. They knew what to expect out of forward David West, center Roy Hibbert and guard George Hill. The same couldn’t be said for George as a featured part of the attack. "I knew coming into my third year I was going to have to have a huge year," said George. "And with Danny (Granger) being out it really magnified on the performances I was going to have to have, the consistency I was going to have to keep." SB Nation

Indiana Pacers, Paul George 

Scott Agness: Vogel, a former video coordinator,has been studying tape non-stop looking for little things they could tinker based on how NY guards,attacks Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Frank Vogel 

Scott Agness: Hibbert expects 'Melo, Smith and Felton to attack the paint and pressure him to continue playing D' w/o fouling. "Defense is our backbone." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Roy Hibbert 

Donnie Walsh said he is unsure he will return as Pacers president next season and thinks here’s still a chance Larry Bird will unretire and retake the helm. Walsh, the 72-year-old former Knicks president, told The Post Sunday he recently asked Bird if he wants to come back and he’d be willing to step aside. Walsh still hasn’t heard an answer from Bird. New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Donnie Walsh, Larry Bird 

Walsh said yesterday he would return if Bird doesn’t and owner Herb Simon wants him to. “I like this but I don’t need to do it,’’ Walsh said. Walsh said he will definitely run the draft in June. The Pacers general manager is highly regarded Kevin Pritchard. Last month, in a visit at the Garden, Walsh told The Post, “I took this job because Larry [Bird] wanted a year off. If Larry wants to come back, I’m out. I’m leaving.’’ New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Bird, Owners, Herb Simon 

The Knicks face a genuine must-win Game 2 against the Pacers, who took Game 1 of the second-round series, 102-95, Sunday at the Garden. A loss would put them down 0-2 heading to Indiana, where the Pacers beat the Knicks both times in the regular season. “We don’t want to do that,” Anthony said after yesterday’s practice. “We want to take care of business on our floor. We felt we gave them a game, which we did. We’ll redeem ourselves [tonight].” New York Post

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony 

Going to Indiana, down 0-2 after playing at home, ranks right up there. And that’s a predicament the Pacers hope to inflict upon the Knicks. The Pacers already have wrested away home-court. Now they would like to take it another step and put the Knicks down two games. They’re not thinking split. “It’s something we’re very excited about having the opportunity to do,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “And we feel we need to do it. We don’t feel like we’re happy getting a split. Momentum changes with every game in the series. We have to come out for Game 2 like it’s Game 7.” So going home even? Not so appealing. “We’re trying to avoid that,” David West said. “We just have to go into [Game 2] thinking we have no advantage in the series. We’re just starting the series. It’s going to be another tough environment to get a W in but ... if we take care of the basketball, rebound and defend, we’ll find ourselves in good shape.” New York Post

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, David West, Frank Vogel 

Walsh said he feels Bird might want to make a comeback after resting his bad shoulder. Walsh said yesterday he would return if Bird doesn’t and owner Herb Simon wants him to. “I like this but I don’t need to do it,’’ Walsh said. Walsh said he will definitely run the draft in June. The Pacers general manager is highly regarded Kevin Pritchard. Last month, in a visit at the Garden, Walsh told The Post, “I took this job because Larry [Bird] wanted a year off. If Larry wants to come back, I’m out. I’m leaving.’’ New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Bird, Herb Simon 

Chris Herring: IND's Lance Stephenson: "All my family and friends [from NY area] are going 4 the Knicks. Except for my mom and dad; they're going for me." Twitter @HerringWSJ

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Lance Stephenson 

The names tossed around in Sunday’s media session included Jackson and Sloan, while a source shot down a report that Jeff Van Gundy is a top target — indicating there’s a “98% chance” the Nets don’t even meet with the TV analyst and former Knicks coach. Meanwhile, highly respected Pacers assistant Brian Shaw will be allowed to speak with the Nets after Indiana’s season concludes, team president Donnie Walsh told the Daily News. New York Daily News

Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Donnie Walsh, Jeff Van Gundy 

“I think Brian would be great as a head coach," Walsh said Sunday. “Just as I thought Mark Jackson would be a tremendous coach, I feel the same way about Brian. They both know the game, you can tell they see it like head coaches. And they also know how to relate to players and get them to do what they need to be successful.” New York Daily News

Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Donnie Walsh 

Stefan Bondy: Donnie Walsh tells News that he will allow Brian Shaw to talk to the Nets after Pacers season is done Twitter @NYDNInterNets

Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Donnie Walsh 

Scott Agness: David West on Roy Hibbert: "I think he's the best big defender in the league. He's anchored our defense all season." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David West 

Stephenson has been attacking the glass like he’s a big man the past three games. He’s grabbed at least 11 rebounds — 13, 11 and 12 — in the Pacer victories. Stephenson had 11 rebounds in a game only twice in his career before this stretch. “The kid is learning discipline,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “We keep talking to him about not leaking out. He’s a weapon on the break, and that’s good. When he comes back and rebounds we’re pretty good, too.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Frank Vogel 

Jonah Ballow: "I told my guys if he is anywhere near you, give it up & pass it" Vogel on @Iman Shumpert's defense #Knicks Twitter @jonahballow

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Frank Vogel, Iman Shumpert 

Mike Wells: Vogel and Jeff Pendergraph both had no comment on his Pendi's $5,000 fine by the NBA for flopping vs Atlanta. Twitter @MikeWellsNBA

Indiana Pacers, Jeff Pendergraph, Frank Vogel 

Scott Agness: Vogel says Sam Young will probably be a bigger factor this series. PG will try to contain ‘Melo. Pendergraph, West, Hansbrough are options. Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Sam Young 

Scott Agness: Jeff Pendergraph has been fined $5,000 for a flop in Game 5. VIDEO: on.nba.com/16Id3uK Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Jeff Pendergraph 

“Indiana is going to grind, pound and play through their big guys,’’ center Tyson Chandler said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge. We’ve got to be prepared physically to match their play and keep them off the glass and then run. They’re great defensively.’’ New York Post

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Tyson Chandler 

The Sixers have identified a group of assistant coaches, all of them 50 years old or younger, as their primary targets. The group includes Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone, both of whom are still coaching in the NBA playoffs. Philadelphia Inquirer

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Malone