There are many sayings about how a greater appreciation can grow out of distance: “Absence makes the heart grown fonder,” for example, or “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”
When it comes to the case of the injured Paul George, the star of Indiana Pacers and future of the franchise, such phrases have been fruitless.
The players on, and fans of, this team didn’t need to watch Indiana flounder for months without its best player to know how valuable he is. He’s one of the league’s best two-way players, one of the only dudes in the NBA who can go toe-to-toe with a guy like LeBron James or Kevin Durant on defense, then turn around and give it right back on the offensive end.
And now Paul George is back.
In fact, the welcome he got from the fans in The Fieldhouse last night is something he calls the “greatest moment I’ve had.”
Paul George: “These fans welcoming me back into the game is probably the greatest moment that I’ve had. ” pic.twitter.com/K0yDuGX5Rs
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) April 6, 2015
I’m sure it was very emotional for Paul, but trust us: There have been better ones.
Here’s a look at some of the moments that ingrained George’s greatness in the minds of Pacers fans, in honor of what he’s accomplished so far and with anticipation of what is ahead now that PG-13 has returned.
Next: Defending Derrick