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Paul George heard a “Pop” in the final game of the Pacers season

By Troy Foster

May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) reacts during a break against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) reacts during a break against the Miami Heat in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pacers forward Paul George speaks on his injury in the final game of season, what’s next?

Paul George has had the worst season, and it is such a shame. You never want to see health be an issue, but Paul George was easily one of the most likable superstars in the league. He was one of those feel good players that you saw transition from a solid building piece on a team to a franchise superstar. He really hasn’t done much disagreeable or been publicly critical but rather just a competitor. The Pacers style as well was something that sets easy for the fan, as it is built on team defense.

After Paul George went down in a Team USA scrimmage everyone felt for him. Players particularly look reflective on their careers and exactly where they are and what they are doing.

Recovery time was passing and we all hoped that Paul George came back healthy. Initially he came back to much delight of Pacers fans at a time that they potentially could get into the eastern conference playoffs. The playoff dream ended but Paul George was playing and continuing to improve.

During the last game of the Pacers regular season though Paul George was carried off by teammates with an apparent leg injury. The results came back and it was just a left calf strain. Thankfully that was not on the same leg that was gruesomely injured in that Team USA scrimmage.

Paul George recently spoke on the injury to the IndyStar

"“Just came off a screen and felt a pop, but they looked at it and it’s nothing more than just a calf strain,” George said, slowly. “It wasn’t a knee injury but it’s tough, you work so hard in rehab and have something else pop up. The good thing is, I know we’ve got a long summer and a lot to look forward to.”George, who walked on his own inside the locker room but limped significantly, described a wait-and-see plan to examine how the calf reacts overnight. He was uncertain if he would undergo an MRI after returning to Indianapolis.“I just felt it,” George said. “I knew it wasn’t nothing good.”“It’s motivation just to get back to who I was but I’m going to be smart about it,” George said. “I don’t know whether it was overcompensating being on the left or what but I’m motivated to make sure that this right leg is strong as my left, so nothing like this pops up again. It is frustrating but the good thing is I have a whole summer ahead of me and a lot to look forward to working out.”"

The big problem we as fans are going to have moving forward is shaking the image of the USA scrimmage out of our heads. It is hard not to superimpose this situation into what has happened to Derrick Rose. It is honestly the last thing anyone wants to see, but the fear is there.

It is not so much that I think his career will be plagued with injuries, but rather that every small injury is going to be in connection to the USA scrimmage one. Nothing would please me more than for them to come back strong next year and make a push for the championship with a healthy Paul George that is playing at super-star level.

The quotes are showing his awareness to his body and discouragement with the situation. It is hard to apply Westbrook as a standard for pretty much anything, but lets hope George follows that route.

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