Pacers swingman Paul George traded in a basketball and the hardwood for a small ball and much different playing surface Thursday night. PG proudly put his name on the seventh annual Caroline Symmes Celebrity Softball Challenge at Victory Field, along with Robert Mathis and Dwayne Allen of the Colts.
[Fun night at the Park for the 2015 Caroline Symmes Celebrity Softball Challenge]
It’s been an active summer for the Pacers’ star. He’s had at least three new ad campaigns debut — with Papa John’s Pizza, AT&T, and Samsung — donated money to help a young Pacers fan with cerebral palsy purchase a wheelchair-accessible van, ride in the IPL 500 Festival Parade, and deliver the green flag for the Indianapolis 500.
Paul George with former Pacers Mel Daniels and Bob Netolicky.
Oh, and he’s working out frequently to get his body and his game where he wants it.
“I’m back working out,” he said, seated in the first-base dugout before his team came up short in the softball game, losing 11-9. “I’m back punching that clock again and trying to pick up where I left off last summer.”
George just passed the 10-month-mark since he had surgery on August 1 after suffering a compound fracture out in Las Vegas during a USA Basketball scrimmage. He returned to game action for the final six games, which allowed him to get some games in before the summer.
Unfortunately, late in their regular-season finale in Memphis, George suffered a strained left calf strain and was carried off the floor by teammates. Seven weeks after the strain, he says he has no restrictions but is not yet 100 percent.
“I’m doing everything I want,” George said. “I’m not playing live action right now. That’s going to take some time, but there’s been no limitations to what I can do on the court.”
Before the Pacers go their separate ways in the offseason, players have exit interviews with team officials and coaches, and then meet with the training staff for an individualized offseason plan. Then, every offseason, the training staff flies around the country for in-person visits with each player. The players are million dollar investments and this is just another way the Pacers protect and support their investments.
Many players have opted to stay in town so far, including George Hill, Luis Scola, C.J. Miles, Shayne Whittington, and Chris Copeland. Coaches and staff members are there daily to work players out and to provide guidance. It’s never a bad thing to have players working out together on their own time, growing their relationships and pushing one another.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” George said of having half-dozen players consistently at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, “and it’s been great to have the luxury of guys that actually like and enjoy to work hard and use the summer to get better. I like our positioning and where we can go.”
The team will continue to workout prospects over the next three weeks leading up to the 2015 NBA Draft, which is set for June 25th. The Pacers have picks 11 and 43.