Paul George will never forget what happened on Aug. 1, 2014.
It’s been one year since Paul George’s career was altered when he broke his right tibia and fibula while playing in a USA Basketball scrimmage out in Las Vegas.
For George and Pacers fans, the time has probably went by ever so slowly. George has had to endure all kinds of pain, rehab, mental struggles, and the challenge of returning to form. Pacers fans saw their team fail to make the postseason and George sustain another injury in the regular-season finale.
“It almost seems like it happened ages ago,” George said last month about approaching the one-year mark of this injury, his first major injury (and broken bone).
“… It hasn’t really been in the back of my mind anymore. I’m kind of beyond that faze. That’s the good thing. I’m not going on the court and having flashbacks or thinking about coming down wrong. I’ve just been out on the court playing and just working out, and that’s been a great thing for me.”
George’s unfortunate injury immediately impacted the Pacers, the season they would have, and what would happen moving forward with the organization. It closed the chapter on the era of Hill-George-West-Hibbert, and team officials have since upgraded its look with a younger, faster group.
Monta Ellis, this most notable offseason pickup, is now the oldest player on the team at 30 years old.
A summary of what transpired in the last year after George’s injury:
- USA Basketball came together and supported PG all the way. Even with others backing out, like Kevin Durant, they went on to win the 2014 FIBA World Cup and gave George a gold medal.
- George returned to Bankers Life Fieldhouse after the injury — and addressed the media for the first time.
- George changed his number to 13.
- The ongoing story all season was whether George would play, whether he wanted to play, and then how much would he play.
- PG back on the basketball court, shooting in October.
- George surpasses one million followers on Twitter.
- PG partners with the American Stroke Association.
- George made his debut in the No. 13 jersey on April 15th, at home against the Miami Heat and scored 13 points.
- (My story from that night with his family in Row 1: Paul George has his own resurrection day with family courtside)
- The Pacers, who were slowed by injuries all season long, wound up winning 38 games.
- Despite winning six consecutive games in April, they didn’t win a seventh (in Memphis) and just missed out on the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
- Larry Bird and Frank Vogel decided to change course next season, opting to go smaller and play faster.
- George quietly donated $10,000 to help a Pacers fan purchase a wheelchair-accessible van.
- George won his first fishing tournament.
- PG rode in the 500 Festival Parade and then George delivered the Green Flag at the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 with a Riley Hospital for Children patient, and Colts punter Pat McAfee.
- David West turned down $12.6 million guaranteed to go play with San Antonio for the veteran’s minimum.
- The Pacers were in the lottery for the first time since taking George in 2010. They selected an athletic and agile big man, Myles Turner, at No. 11.
- Second-round pick Joe Young discovers he is fifth cousins with Paul.
- Roy Hibbert was traded.
- George said he needs to take on a larger leadership role with other guys moving on.
- George held his second annual basketball and said he won’t participate in USA Basketball mini-camp in mid-August.
- Larry Bird says he wants the two-time NBA All-Star at power forward, believes it’ll be a real plus.
- The Pacers complete free agency, add seven new pieces to eight guys back from last season.
- George tours Asia with Nike Basketball.
- George dunks with ease in Manila.