Despite enduring a sweep at the hands of the now-dethroned Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, Paul George believes his Indiana Pacers are just a few acquisitions away from catching them.

Data showed that the Pacers had the best point differential against the Cavs during the postseason, often losing in close games, unlike the routs handed to the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics during their series.

“In ways, I feel like we are close,” George told ESPN. “It's hard not to believe that because we did the best against Cleveland of anyone [in the East] and we could have won that series. At the same time, we need some more talent, we need better players.”

George verbally committed to the Pacers, given the fact that he is still under contract for next year, until he's able to opt out mid-2018. The 6-foot-9 swingman had been linked to several teams in the East, most prominently to the Cavs and the Celtics.

“I don't talk to LeBron at all. We don't communicate,” George said regarding a possible move to join the Cavaliers in the offseason. “I look up to LeBron, obviously. He's been a tremendous ambassador to this game. He's been a very huge influencer for me outside of the game, but we don't communicate and figure out where one another's going.”

Pacers head coach Nate McMillan wasn't shocked to hear of George's commitment to staying the course with the franchise that drafted him.

“I'm absolutely not surprised he said that,” McMillan said, referring to George's definitive answer about this coming season. “I expected him to say that.”