Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Paul George is carted off the floor on a gurney after suffering a lower leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center.
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Paul George is carted off the floor on a gurney after suffering a lower leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. REUTERS

Initial reports after Paul George’s gruesome injury state that the Indiana Pacers franchise player will be out the entire year or the upcoming 2014-2015 NBA season. George declared on Tuesday however that he wants to return to action this season, particularly targeting the postseason.

In the Pacers’ NBA Media Day 2014, George was seen walking in crutches but according to new reports, the Pacers star is already cleared by team doctors allowing him “to put some weight on the leg.”

“It’s very possible that I can play [this season],” George said in an interview with Mark Montieth, a Pacers reporter for the team’s official website.

“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.”

An optimistic George is a good sign for Pacers and basketball fans alike after witnessing what was one of the most graphic injuries in recent memory.

Fair warning, George’s injury was indeed gruesome and watching the video is not for the faint of heart:

(YouTube/Scotty Brown)

George’s attitude is admirable considering the injury was career-threatening; aside from being positive, the accident also gave him a few new perspectives plus the fact that he can work on the other aspects of his game despite the long process of recovery.

“Everything happens for a reason,” George said in the same pacers.com article. “It gave me a chance to be in the weight room and spend some time there. I've got to use this as a blessing. It's tough to say you got hurt for a reason, but I honestly think I did. Now everything is starting to come back for me. I'm feeling great. I've been cleared to be in the weight room and work out. That's been keeping me positive and sane.”

George’s injury occurred in Team USA’s scrimmage/practice game last Aug. 1. George and the US squad was preparing for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. The powerhouse squad had enough weapons even without George and won the gold medal easily in the basketball world championships.

If George’s recovery follows the initial diagnosis, which was at 8 months, the Pacers star can possibly re-join his teammates in time for the 2015 postseason. Without George, Indiana is still one of the favourites to make the playoffs.

RELATED STORIES