Pacers Links: Heat and Spurs to tip of NBA Finals; Paul George, Lance Stephenson dominate early offseason news

It has almost been a week since the Pacers were ousted from the playoffs in Miami and the primary Pacers' topics have been Paul George, Lance Stephenson and salary cap space. At least we still have some basketball to watch with the Heat and Spurs tipping off the NBA Finals on Thursday night.

By Tom Lewis@IndyCornrows Jun 5, 2014, 7:00am EDT

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While it seems like the Pacers' season ended a month or so ago (in reality, maybe it did), the team was actually preparing for their Game 6 exit at this time last week. It didn't take long for the offseason to get rolling for the Pacers with Paul George and Lance Stephenson providing topics for discussion with their future salaries and future with the Pacers under scrutiny.

The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs are still dealing with the here and now as they begin the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Who do you think will win and in how many games?

Don't tell me who you want to win, I think I know. I'm going with the Heat in six games (again, not where my rooting interest lies) based on LeBron James being the best player and in a tight game, having the best player on the floor at go-to time normally trumps the best team without a designated go-to guy.

I don't mind being wrong and considering the Spurs were one rebound away from winning last year, it doesn't take much to consider the Spurs a favorite. What do you think?

I discussed the Finals and what I'm looking forward to in the series on The Phil Naessens Show. Check it out.

Check out the links:

Paul George Named to All-NBA Third Team | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS

Another Accolade for Indiana's Rising Star | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS

Paul George gets raise for making third-team All-NBA - Indy Star

Bird must change Pacers’ core, not just tweak bench - 1070 The Fan

Good morning, the NBA Finals have arrived - SBNation.com

Bird, Vogel say Pacers don't need an overhaul - Indy Star

The Case For Hanging In There | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS

Indiana Pacers Summer Reading Tour Set To Begin | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS

NBA - Paul George of Indiana Pacers hits $7 million bonus by making All-NBA third team - ESPN

Heat defense still a question " NBA.com | Hang Time Blog with Sekou Smith