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Paul George seems unsure he’ll return this season

By Sam Richmond

Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers forward Paul George doesn’t sound like a guy who thinks he’s going to return this season.

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Paul George has long expressed optimism that he would return at some point this season.  Until Friday.

The 24-year-old spoke to the Indianapolis Star on Friday and didn’t exactly sound confident about the matter.

"When asked directly, George paused, took a thoughtful breath, and said while he still wants to return, he doesn’t want to risk jeopardizing the Pacers’ recent strong play, which has seen the team win seven straight and 13 of their last 15.“I’m on the fence,” George said. “Part of me is, they’re playing so well, they’ve come together, to shake up the chemistry and add another body, another player in there… I don’t want to be that guy that destroys what these guys have going.”"

(…)

"“It’s different if this was the beginning of the year and we were still trying to find our way,” George said. “But these guys are playing at the top of their game right now and the last thing I want to do is slow them down.”"

George has not played at all this season after fracturing his leg in a Team USA scrimmage this past summer.

George also said he feels much better this week than he did in past weeks, which is good news for a possible return. Also, if the only thing holding George back from playing is not wanting to disrupt chemistry, one would have to think Pacers coaches and players would do whatever they can to convince George he’d be an asset.

As well as the Pacers are playing right now, they have little-to-no chance of winning even a round in the postseason without George. He’s one of the best young players in the league and could be a real difference-maker for Indiana in the playoffs if he’s able to get some regular season games in and shake the rust off beforehand.

George averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game and while led the Pacers to their second straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance last season. Indiana drafted him with the No. 10 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

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