Paul George Speaks To Media For First Time Since Injury
By Jalen Bishop
![May 24, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George talks with the media following the Heat 99-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports May 24, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George talks with the media following the Heat 99-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/07e4a27891656d7eaa0ff6e61aaa655abc7827fba5ddb4a872bc74783a2d5a00.jpg)
Paul George addressed the media for the first time since his injury during USA Basketball’s scrimmage on August 1st. Frank Vogel, George Hill and Roy Hibbert were in attendance.
A hundred or so fans line the players' entrance at Bankers Life to welcome Paul George back to the Fieldhouse. pic.twitter.com/OdT4nJdso7
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) August 15, 2014
Fans await.
Set-up.
.@Paul_George24 arrives at @TheFieldhouse as #Pacers employees greet him. pic.twitter.com/sgSU7Yowzi
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 15, 2014
Paul George arrives.
QUOTES
"First and foremost, I just want to give a huge thanks to the fans who have been behind me." - @Paul_George24
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 15, 2014
PG says the last two weeks have been tough, lounging around and hanging out with those close with him.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 15, 2014
"I don't know yet." @Paul_George24 on his recovery timeline. "We don't want to put a date on it or a time frame on it."
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 15, 2014
Paul George taking this in a positive way, plans to learns a lot from the sideline and take a greater role in mentoring teammates.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 15, 2014
Paul George on his first reaction to the injury: "I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it was me that this happened to."
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 15, 2014
PG: "When I looked down and saw the bone, I knew it was bad. I had felt pain before, and this was a pain that I had not felt."
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 15, 2014
PG said @Hoya2aPacer flew out to Vegas to be by his side at the hospital. Brought him a silk and fur blanket, gummy bears.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 15, 2014
"I plan on making a full recovery coming back from this." - @Paul_George24
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 15, 2014
Paul George says criticism USA Basketball is getting is "unfair. It's a freak accident."
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 15, 2014
Paul George is "very aware" there is a "possibility" he will not play next season.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 15, 2014
PG considered going to Chicago for tomorrow’s USAB exhibition, but he doesn’t want to steal the spotlight and will watch from his home.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 15, 2014
On 2016 Olympic interest, Paul George: "Absolutely. It's in Brazil."
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 15, 2014
"As early as next week, I can kind of start a little rehab in my knee." - PG #Pacers
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) August 15, 2014
"It felt like gasoline was on my leg and someone set a match," said Paul George, about the pain he felt when he broke his leg.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 15, 2014
Paul George said he has watched the replay once … “and that’ll be the last time I see that video. I really want to put all that behind me."
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) August 15, 2014
Paul George departing presser. pic.twitter.com/dDJFzcP8ci
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 15, 2014