Rankings Roundup: Pacers on the rise

There are a lot of NBA power rankings out there on the web these days, and we here at Indy Cornrows are here to make your life easy. This is a rankings roundup of those who have knowledge of the NBA world on where they think the Indiana Pacers stack up against the rest of the league.

ESPN

Last week: 12 This week: 8

What they think:

The Paul George Report: He's averaging 24.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 4.8 APG, all of which will go down as career-best submissions if he can maintain those levels all season. He also made it clear last week that he's "not a fan of analytics," but PG-13's 24.2 PER is also on course to set a new franchise record -- well ahead of Danny Granger's 21.8 in 2008-09.

NBA.com

Last week: 7 This week: 5

What they think:

Even though Frank Vogel tinkers with his starting lineup on a game-by-game basis (and his two most-used lineups haven't been very good), the Pacers are 8-2 in their last 10 games, with the league's best defense in that time. They've also been the league's third best 3-point shooting team in the last two weeks and have won 11 straight quarters after an ugly start in Chicago on Monday.

CBS Sports

Last week: 12 This week: 6

What they think:

I had questions about the defense if the Pacers were going to go small and put floor spacers everywhere. But they are busting screens and disrupting passing lanes, while on offense there's so much room to drive and cut all the time. Paul George has been straight Jedi.

Sports Illustrated

Last week: 11 This week: 8

What they think:

Genetics. Considered a work in progress, Glenn Robinson III has made a case for extended minutes in the absence of George Hill. The Big Dog’s kid has been a fit in Indiana’s perimeter-focused style and opened eyes with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting in a blowout of Milwaukee. The three-year deal Larry Bird gave him looks prudent.