Paul George Hopes to Practice Fully on March 1
By Jared Wade
Larry Bird recently said that the front office wouldn’t stand in Paul George’s way if he gets healthy before the end of the season and wants to suit up. And now Paul George has flamed those return fires even further by telling the media he is aiming for a March 1 return to full practice.
Paul George said by March 1 he would like to be able to practice full time. Remains hopeful to play this season but is not certain.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 5, 2015
Paul George said on March: "Ideally, that's a great time where I want to be back. Obviously I'm a long shot away from it...
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 5, 2015
"…I've got so many steps to get to that point but looking forward that's (March) when I want to be back." -- Paul George
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 5, 2015
Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star reported that George has already been going through sets with the team and playing some 3-on-3 in practice.
We also saw yesterday that he has been absorbing some light contact while going through layup lines.
Paul George tells the media he has been participating in practice. "Everything except for contact." pic.twitter.com/wEUfpPlsIF
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 5, 2015
Both Paul George and the team are on the same page about one thing for sure: It makes no sense to rush back if there is any risk whatsoever of re-injury.
PG: "I don't want to come back too soon and be out there and have a chance to re-injure…I want it to be fully right." Said #Pacers feel same
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 5, 2015
Even with this caveat, however, George said that his desire to push for a return this season will depend on the team’s chances of making the playoffs. If they have a shot at the postseason, it will make him more eager to return.
PG said "without a doubt" it WOULD matter to him if #Pacers is in playoff race in re: to possibly making a comeback.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 5, 2015
PG: "I think adding me to a great team, we definitely have enough firepower to make some noise in the playoffs if I come back."
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 5, 2015
But don’t get too concerned, cautious Pacers fans.
Like the Indiana Pacers playoff hopes, PG’s return to an actual regular season game this season still isn’t likely.
PG: "I want to be back out there. Playing. I want to play…but again, it's not a likelihood at this point."
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) February 5, 2015
In an ideal world, it would be great for him to be able to suit up at least a few times. He could test out the leg in live action before another offseason of gym and training work. Most importantly, it would being the difficult work of re-calibrating his brain to believe that his leg can work again.
But I’m sure there is no way the team’s award-winning medical staff would even consider letting Paul George lace em up unless his leg was 100% healed and the strength in his leg reached a level where the risk of re-injury was negligible.