Pacers approaching season as if Paul George won’t be available

Though the Pacers have not officially declared swingman Paul George, who broke his tibia and fibula on Aug. 1, out for the 2014-15 season, the team is of the mindset that he won’t be available.

Frank Vogel sits down next to Roy Hibbert following a training camp practice.

“I want him to push his rehab to try to get back as soon as it’s safe, but we’re going forward like he’s not going to play this year,” Pacers head coach Frank Vogel said on Friday. “Our approach with the team is we have to become a great basketball team without Paul George. If he makes it back sooner than then, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

The question was posed to Vogel in regards to George’s remarks on media day.

“It’s very possible that I can play (this season),” George told the voice’s of the Pacers, Chris Denari and Mark Boyle, during the team’s live video stream.

“I’ve talked to all the guys and said, ‘Man, you guys have to get in the playoffs. That’s the best chance I’ve got of coming back and playing this year.’ I’ve already got it in mind that I could miss this whole year. I’m come to peace with that, but I’d love to be able to come back and play again.”

George, who still dresses the part of player at practice, by all accounts is tenaciously working at his rehab. Less than a week into camp, it has not been officially determined what he’ll do at games and how soon will he travel, but Vogel definitely wants him working with the Pacers’ wings on the defensive assignment of the night.

“If were playing the Knicks, I want him talking to Copeland, C.J. Miles, and Solomon Hill,” said Vogel. In other words, he wants George to pass along his knowledge and provide tips each game to his teammates of the same position.

There have been some encouraging signs from George this week. He walked around on media day without a boot on his right leg, not only so the boot didn’t make the photos but also because he wanted to see and feel again what it was like to lace up shoes on both feet.

While he hasn’t been made available to reporters to get his thoughts, his outward emotions and gestures indicate he’s doing better. He’s most certainly torn up inside, wanting to be with his teammates and out on the floor. Remember, this is his first real injury of any kind. Therefore the team has to be extra careful not to let him overdue it.

“It’s really going to be in the medical team’s hands more than anybody,” Vogel said. “They’re going to handle it the right way. I trust those guys. It’s not going to be something that I’m that involved in.”

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