The Los Angeles Clippers were the favorite team of Paul George when he was growing up in the area.

The Clippers could have selected George in the 2010 NBA Draft, but instead selected Al-Farouq Aminu.

“I’m happy where I’m at being here but (the Clippers) were one of the teams that did overlook me,” George said. “So I always have that in the back of my mind when I play them.”

Paul George and the Indiana Pacers struck an interesting compromise on his contract extension, according to several sources.

If George makes an All-NBA team this season, his salary will settle at 27 percent of the cap level instead of the full 30 percent under the Derrick Rose rule. George's starting salary would then be at $15.8 million, approximately $1.75 million less than George could have earned had he fought for the full 30 percent.

The Pacers also reluctantly gave George an opt-out after Year 4.

A few months after being taken to a Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals by the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat have taken notice of their fast start to the 13-14 NBA regular season.

"Yes, they do get our attention," Chris Bosh said. "They're playing confident basketball right now but I still feel like we're the champs and we're going to put it together."

The Heat play the Pacers on Dec. 10 for the first time this season.

"We're going to be up there in the conversation very soon," Bosh said. "We just have to put in the work right now. They have that chip on their shoulder. They have that hunger that we don't have because we won last year. We have to find different motivations and make sure that we're constantly challenging ourselves."

Markieff Morris and Paul George have been named the NBA's Players of the Week.

Morris tied for seventh in the Western Conference in scoring (22.8 ppg), 14th in the conference in rebounding (8.0 rpg), eighth in the conference in steals (2.0 spg) and led the league in field goal percentage (.698). 

George led the Pacers in scoring in all four games, and his 24.8 ppg average ranked fifth in the East. The fourth-year forward chipped in with 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.75 steals.

Danny Granger is experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, according to a source.

Granger missed most of last season with knee issues.

Granger is currently sidelined with a left calf injury that could keep him out another two weeks.

Through three games this season, Lance Stephenson is averaging 19 points while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field and 64 percent from the three-point line.

Stephenson is adamant is not thinking about his upcoming free agency and that he will stay with the Indiana Pacers.

“I don't think about that,” Stephenson said. “It's a long season, I'm not thinking nothing about contracts. I'm going to stay with the Pacers, so I'm not even thinking about the contract.”

When asked if he would turn down a larger offer to re-sign, Stephenson said: “I'm staying with the Pacers."