This past summer Indiana Pacers star Paul George suffered a gruesome leg injury in a Team USA intrasquad scrimmage.
Below is footage of George’s brutal leg injury. This clip isn’t for the faint of heart, so consider yourself warned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd3B2DsHQTg
George, who was one of two Pacers all-stars last season along with teammate Roy Hibbert, was and still is expected to miss the entire 2014-2015 NBA season.
On October 20, less than 3 months after George suffered the compound fracture in his right leg, the Pacers star returned to the court to shoot around after an Indiana Pacers practice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeGEQtZemac
George was cleared to put weight on the leg and engage in upper-body work back in September.
The news of Paul George returning to the court may have Pacers fans thinking that he is returning sooner rather than later, but that is, for the most part, an unrealistic expectation.
On December 28, 2013, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva suffered a similar injury to George’s when he suffered a compound fracture in his left leg after landing a kick on current UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. This coming January, nearly 13 months after his gruesome injury, Silva will be making his return to the UFC.
George, who will likely not suit up for the Pacers until October of next year, will have the chance to work on attaining a consistent jump shot during his time off, which is a scary thought for the rest of the league.
With the loss of Lance Stephenson and the inconsistency of big man Roy Hibbert, the Pacers are expected to struggle in George’s absence this season.
George, 24, has been remarkably durable in his young career, only missing 26 games of the 312 games that the Pacers have played since he’s been in the league.
George’s production will be nearly impossible to replace in his absence this season. Last season George averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals.
The only lingering question regarding Paul George has nothing to do with when he’ll be back, but it has everything to do with whether or not he’ll be the same player he was when he returns to the Pacers lineup.
Do you think Paul George will ever be the same player again? Or will he be constantly hesitant due to the gruesome nature of his injury this past August?
[Image via stacksmag.net, video via vigilantsports.com]
