Paul George is back, even if it is preseason

The Indiana Pacers have only played preseason games, but two key questions going into the season regarding Paul George may have already been answered.

George appears to be back in full form -- and, even if he doesn't like it, he's more than capable of making the switch from small to power forward.

The 25-year-old forward, who told Paste BN Sports' Sam Amick that he thinks he can be an MVP candidate this season, put up 20 points in the first quarter of the Pacers preseason game against the Detroit Pistons Tuesday night. He hit his first seven shots with the same dexterity that he demonstrated during his 2013-14 season. He finished the game with 32 points on 10 of 17 shooting. He was 5-of-9 from beyond the arc and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line.

Yes, it's preseason. And yes, it's only one game. But Tuesday night was somewhat of the "return" of George.

George suffered a broken leg during a scrimmage for Team USA in the summer of 2014, just months after a breakout NBA season. He missed the first 76 games of the 2014-15 season and was far from superstar level in the six games that he was on the floor.

Now, a year and some change after he suffered his injury, it seems as though Pacers fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

They were just a game behind the Nets for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference last season. It's too early to tell if a postseason trip is in the future in Indiana with all of the question marks the team has--specifically at the center position.

But, with George back, healthy and hungry, the odds are in their favor.