Paul George Hopes to Practice Fully on March 1

Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (right) and Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (left) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (right) and Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (left) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.