Frank Vogel on Paul George: “No Timetable for His Return”
By Jared Wade
More from Pacers News
- 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
- Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
- 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
- 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
- Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?
Paul George could be returning to an Indiana Pacers court as soon as this week — even tonight in Brooklyn — according to an ESPN report yesterday.
Well, that’s not happening — at least no the Nets game part, as George has been ruled out this evening.
And Pacers coach Frank Vogel said that, in fact, there is “no timetable” for Paul George’s return while addressing the media before tonight’s game.
Frank Vogel in response to Paul George report: “He’s been practicing for several weeks now and there’s no timetable for his return.”
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) March 21, 2015
Yesterday, Brian Windhorst of ESPN tweeted out the following.
Pacers targeting Paul George's debut within the next week according to multiple sources. Could be as early as tomorrow but not decided yet
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) March 20, 2015
These “within the next week” and “no timetable” reports may seem to be at odds, but that’s not necessarily so. Vogel was responding to questions about this report specifically, so he wasn’t just out here saying something for no reason. And there can be “no timetable” right now while Paul George still suits up within a week. The team may be expecting that without saying it publicly, and Windhorst is a very connected NBA insider known for his credibility.
A lot of teams are now very sensitive to predicting return dates. Paul George may have done himself no favors by circling March 14 on the calendar, but the teams themselves have learned from how the Bulls handled the first Derrick Rose return from injury. Now, rather than answering questions about specific dates and expectations, they are more apt to just say “no timetable.” It deflects all questions, and that’s probably what Vogel is doing here — essentially saying “He’s not playing tonight … leave me alone.”
Paul George will play when he’s ready.
Either later this week or next season.
Next: Indiana Pacers Take Part in NBA's Green Week
More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds
- 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
- Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
- 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
- 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
- Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?