Bleacher Report’s ongoing series on Paul George’s recovery just dropped the newest episode, “The Lost Season?”
Paul George’s dog King gets some attention early on in the video where we see them on the same court where we marked one of the early milestones of Paul George’s recovery. George talks about working on his game as a craft and getting “thrown into the fire” against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs his rookie year, as well as his playoff moment with LeBron James. King, the real star of this video, again appears as George shares some candid moments before talking about this season.
“I envision making my first big play and the crowd going crazy. Whether it is a big 3-pointer, or even just the first basket back, and me turning the the crowd and letting them know I’m back.”
George explains that he’s treated every game this season as if he was playing, going through preparations and getting shots up beforehand, but says it isn’t quiet the same, obviously. “It all just goes away. I don’t get that anxiety, or that nervous or butterflies anymore,” George said as you can feel some emotion of knowing most of this season has been lost for him personally, though the Pacers are streaking now.
We also get some glimpses of him doing his media obligations and photo shoots for New Era and Papa John’s, as well as a spot for the American Stroke Association.
Fittingly the video ends with him talking about how the road to recovery is now coming to an end, and soon he’ll be back on the court playing. “I envision making my first big play and the crowd going crazy. Whether it is a big 3-pointer, or even just the first basket back, and me turning the crowd and letting them know I’m back,” he said.
This season is mostly a ‘lost season’ for Paul George, but with the way the Pacers have played as of late, not all is lost for him or the team. He’s certainly been busy off the court, and while the chances of the Indiana Pacers making a deep playoff run are slim, any time on the court this season for the franchise player is going to make the transition into the 2015-16 season easier.
It has been great to see Bleacher Report’s work on Paul George’s road back, from reliving the injury, preparing to return, and now being so close to his return, but the story won’t be over until we finally see Paul George turn to the crowd and let everyone know he’s back.
Next: 4 Reasons the Pacers Will Earn the 6th Seed
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