Indiana Pacers: Paul George to be ready for playoffs?
By Wes Goldberg
After breaking his right fibula in a freak accident during a FIBA World Cup practice with Team USA, most wrote off Paul George’s return until next season. A leg injury like that, after all, takes a long time to heal. Not to mention rehabilitate.
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Talking with reporters during the Indiana Pacers’ media day, George said he hopes to return sooner than that.
"“It’s very possible that I can play (this season),” George said. “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.”"
Of course, the other variable (other than his health) is if the Pacers even make it to the playoffs. Right now, it doesn’t look good. With George out and Lance Stephenson leaving in free agency, Indiana has even less offensive fire power than it did last season.
Roy Hibbert is still in the middle, and will have to take a giant leap in his development to get the Pacers in the postseason.
Still, it’s good that George–who won’t even travel with the team until later in the season, according to the report–has a goal and timeline for his return. But he shouldn’t rush it.
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