Pacers coach Frank Vogel and president Larry Bird met with the media Tuesday morning.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel learned that his star player, Paul George, had suffered a serious injury on the last day on a family vacation in Saint Martin almost two weeks ago. One of his daughters was upstairs, ready for bed, with coach’s phone in case she needed to call them upstairs.
All of a sudden, Vogel’s phone was buzzing — a lot.
He first learned the info in a group text with assistants Nate McMillan, Popeye Jones, and George’s neighbor, George Hill. The information not only ruined that night, but also “every night since.”
Vogel and George have a great relationship and a very tight bond. There were days years ago, George’s rookie year, where Vogel, an assistant at the time, spent countless hours working and rebounding with young George out of Fresno State.
“Coach Vogel is my man since I came in here,” George told me in January.
Vogel and his family returned to Indianapolis late Saturday, and then coach caught the first flight out to Vegas Sunday morning to be with his guy. That speaks volumes about Vogel.
George taken off the floor on a stretcher.
On Tuesday, George returned home via private jet, as we reported last week. He’s had trouble doing the simplest of things, like bathing, moving around, etc. After have an open tibia-fibula fracture of his right leg, he can’t drive for the next few months. He has a car service to get around, and Hill, who lives a few houses down on Geist, said he will help when he can. George is in a split and on crutches.
“He’s in really good spirits,” Vogel, who’s been over to George’s house, said. “Obviously, frustrated that he’s not going to be able to play this year, and the road ahead is going to be a tough process for him recovering from this. But I think he’s encouraged, like we’ve said, a full recovery is expected. It’s just going to be a matter of time and a lot of work to get back.”
What impressed Pacers president Larry Bird, who was watching the USA Basketball scrimmage on television while GM Kevin Pritchard was at the game, was that George didn’t give up on the play. It was a fast break and George hustled back to contest a James Harden layup.
“We always say, ‘Don’t give up on the play,’” said Bird. “When he went down and I seen the doctor go over and put a towel over him, and one of the players walked away, I knew it wasn’t good. You really worry about the young man.”
The outpouring of support from the Pacers, fans, and the basketball community was outstanding — and memorable.
Related: Latest Nike Paul George ad is brilliant and inspiring
While Bird did all he could from thousands of miles away, he also had to begin thinking about his team in 2014-15. He something serious happened, and within hours Bird knew his young star was heading into surgery to repair a open tibia-fibula fracture.
Every other team in the Eastern Conference improved mightily, and now Bird would be faced with a task he’d never want to even imagine.
Previous Examples of a Similar Injury
Vogel, along with the rest of the Pacers, are particularly optimistic about George’s recovery because it was a “clean break.” While there isn’t a straight comparison – many have suggested Louisville’s Kevin Ware – they are happy it’s not a similar injury as Shaun Livingston.
“Livingston was the opposite,” said Vogel. “That’s what everybody feared when we saw Paul’s injury, that it was going to be ligaments and joints and tendons and nerves. That was the big fear. And all of that was unharmed. That’s why there’s such optimism. While it’s going to take time, we can expect him to be back to full strength when the time comes.”
Vogel has exchanged text messages with his mentor and friend, Louisville coach Rick Pitino, who obviously was with Ware during his rehabilitation.
Vogel also noted a Miami Dolphins player that had a similar surgery in high school, and the player felt like he came back stronger. Vogel also mentioned Jordan Crawford, who has the same agent as Paul, but I couldn’t find any story about an injury to Crawford.
At this point, less than two weeks removed from surgery, there isn’t a timetable for George’s return — at least that the team is making public.
“No one’s told us that he’s going to be out for the full year,” said Bird. “… We’re sort of expecting him to be out all year, but we really don’t know.”
Possible Return This Season
With no declaration that he is “out for the season” or “will return mid-season,” that leaves the door open for questions about when he might return. It’s wise of Indiana and its elite medical staff not to put a timetable on it. Again, surgery wasn’t even two weeks ago.
Too soon.
“If he can play, he’s going to play,” Bird provided. “If he can play at a high level, he wants to play.”
When the Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose and his situation the past two seasons was brought up, along with safety, Bird added, “We would never put him in a position where he didn’t feel comfortable.”
Thus, at this point: “(We’re) planning to not have him,” Vogel said later. “When he comes around, we’ll be excited about that.”
No Plans to Honor PG
One of my questions to Bird was picked up seemingly everywhere Tuesday, and that was certainly not my intent. USA Basketball has said they plan to do something to honor George during their World Cup play. It has not yet been determined how.
Needing some kind of rallying call, I thought a motivating Vogel and others might turn this into a “Let’s do it for PG!” season, etc. You get the point.
See Also: Paul George changing number to 13
So, I asked if the team planned to honor Paul this season — maybe by wearing a patching or something. He cut me off.
“A patch? He’s still alive! I don’t think we’re going to do that. We’ll just pat him on the back every one and a while.”
It was a hilarious moment, one that has been repeated on SportsCenter, Olbermann, and radio shows around the country. Valid question, but I wish I would’ve phrased it better. What a fantastic answer though.
Message to Fans
This is a challenging one because the loss of George is obvious and they’ll feel the loss of Lance Stephenson anymore. Beyond George and his family, who I really feel for is David West. He joined the Pacers because of the great organization and leadership there is, but also because of the real opportunity to do something special and win a title.
No way the Pacers will just throw in the season. Bird and Vogel won’t even consider it. But a realistic goal is to just make the playoffs, which they have done for the past four seasons.
“We think we’re going to put a competitive team out there,” Bird said. “We’re going to play hard, we’re going to develop our young guys, and everyone is going to get an opportunity to show us what they can do. I think we’ll be an exciting team. I think we’ve got four guys that we’ve brought in that’s going to help us. … We got a lot of things to look forward to. We have our draft choices this year. My goal is to win as many games as we possibly can and get into the playoffs. I know some of our fans would rather us go in a different direction but we’re here to win and we’re going to try to win.”
And an always optimistic Vogel: “I think those fans that think the season is over before it started are very wrong. And I think they are going to be pleasantly surprised with the grit and toughness that we play with this year. And I think we’re going to be able to compete with the best.”
Moving Forward
Rodney Stuckey joins the Pacers after seven seasons in Detroit.
The Pacers have 15 guys under contract, the maximum allowed. However, the league office granted them the disabled player exception, which they hope to spend on a veteran wing, like Shawn Marion.
“(Have) our expectations lowered any? I don’t think so,” Bird said. “I think that we’re going to compete hard. We’re going to do our best to make the playoffs. That’s always one of our goals.”
Crazy, it was just one year ago when the quest for the No. 1 seed, which they did earn, began.
“I think they’re going to fall in love with this team,” Vogel said. “I think we’ve, for the last few years until mid-way through last season, been the underdog. I think our players have embraced that and I think our fans have embraced that, and I think they’re going to enjoy seeing this team come out and play harder than everybody else every night.”
Vogel has received criticism from the outside, as fans and some media question why former Pacers – like Miles Plumlee, Gerald Green, and D.J. Augustin – thrive with their new team. That’s simple: system and opportunity. (But it doesn’t always hold weight. Take Tyler Hansbrough, for example.)
“We’ve seen bench guys that didn’t play that well here get opportunities elsewhere and have great seasons,” Vogel said. “I think we’re going to see that here.”
Starters
Add who’ll start in Game 1 of the regular season to the list of items too early to discuss.
“It’s too early for that,” Vogel responded. “But I’ve got a lot of good options.”
A lot could change, and players may prove themselves worthy – or not worthy – of a role in camp. Since you’ll ask, I would predict the opening-night starters to be: George Hill, Rodney Stuckey, Solomon Hill, David West, and Roy Hibbert.
Vogel will consider Stuckey, C.J. Miles, S. Hill, Damjan Rudež, and Chris Copeland as possible replaces for PG at the wing spot.
Rallying the Troops
Vogel has communicated with his players and met with those in town. His message is opportunity.
They have an opportunity to beat expectations. They have an opportunity to rally together to surprise everyone and make a run. They have an opportunity to make George proud. They have an opportunity to advance individually like other Pacers have.
“You never want an injury, but you’ve got to make the best of any situation,” he said. “There are going to be some guys that able to develop more because of this much like Paul and Lance were able to develop when Danny was out. Those guys will make the best of it and we’re certainly maintaining a message that we’re competing to win this year.”
That last part is important. It’s August, and he wants positive thoughts in their head, thoughts of getting better and winning — not how disappointing it is and what the season could’ve been.
Calling Around
The timing of George’s injury couldn’t have been worse. It occurred exactly a month after free agency, so the top talent has already signed. The majority of the mid-level guys have too. Teams have made the offseason deals they wanted, whether to improve their team, improve their financial situation, or gain draft picks for the future.
“Everybody has got their team pretty well set right now,” Larry Bird said. “There’s not a lot of talk going on throughout the league that we’re hearing. But we’re still making calls and doing things and trying to be active.
“You’re always looking [to make moves]. We’ve pinpointed some players that we’re looking at, even for next year. Our work is never done. We’re always looking for players. And if we can improve the roster, we will try to do that.”
George was honored to play for his country.
Bird Backs USA Basketball
Finally, a lot was made after George’s injury about the basket stanchion, which caused George’s injury, as well as whether the NBA’s elite players should be playing for USA Basketball. Doing so risks injuries that affect them and their NBA team, which is paying their salary. Players aren’t paid to participate, but it’s an honor, a chance to get better, and also improve their brand through worldwide coverage.
Bird, who spent a couple decades playing for his country and was part of the 1992 gold medal Olympic team, and the Pacers continue to back USA Basketball and what it stands for.
“Personally, I think it’s good for these young men,” he said. “They’re a brand now and they get an opportunity to showcase their talents all over their world. I think it’s a great opportunity to play for your country. I think anytime you’re called upon, and you have an opportunity to do that, you should do it. I support USA Basketball – always have and always will.
“But I also understand the other side of it. It’s unfortunate that this is going to bring everything to the forefront about USA Basketball. It’s not a good situation but it happened and you move on. But I support what Jerry Colangelo is trying to do. We send our best, and I like that. … If you’re going to play them, send the best if you can.”
Etc.
- Bird on losing Lance Stephenson: “I feel very strongly that we made a great offer to him. He’s a free agent and he chose to move on. It’s tough, but it’s part of the business.”
- Vogel hasn’t spoken with David West, the veteran on the team who is seeking a championship. They have only exchanged texts, but Vogel believes while understandably upset, West will be ready to get after it.
- Members of the team do not plan to get together prior to the season, as they did last year in California for a few days.
- George will talk to the media for the first time since his injury on Friday.
(Listen to the entire press conference with Bird and Vogel in the embedded media player below, or click here.)
[audio:http://www.vigilantsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-08-12-Bird-Vogel-presser-post-PG-injury.mp3|titles=Bird and Vogel on Paul’s injury, next season]