Paul George is averaging just 9.8 points per game during the Pacers’ first round series against Orlando.
"He's got to pick it up," Pacers president Larry Bird said after Monday's practice. "This isn't the time to feel sorry for yourself. Sometimes players lose their shot, and they lose all their confidence. As he gets along in his career, we think he can be a pretty good scorer. But just because you're not making shots doesn't mean you can't do the other things.
"Disappointed? No. I mean, he's so young (just turned 22). Last year he was in five playoff games, and it's just the first round this year. These young guys, they're going to learn, each playoff game gets harder as you go along. Not each series, each game. These guys don't understand that yet."
George has missed all 13 of his three-point attempts against the Magic.
"He's got no confidence (in his shot)," Bird said. "I can see that. And he's going to stay in slumps if he keeps doing what he's doing. As he grows, he's got to get to the basket more. He relies too much shooting the 3s. He needs to get to the basket, learn how to post people up, and even if he doesn't score, draw the double team and get other people open. I'm not disappointed in any of that; only time I'm disappointed is when he turns down shots, and I've told him that. That's what he can't do, because then you're basically playing four-on-five."