Paul George stepped up to the highest level of the podium yesterday with Team USA. We look back at his experience at the moments that led up to this golden opportunity.
After Paul George broke his leg, Team USA head Jerry Colangelo and the coaching staff assured the Pacers star that a spot on the squad was waiting for him in Rio if he wanted it. Even late in the 2015-16 season, PG said he wasn’t sure since he was in the midst of an 89-game NBA campaign that might make a summer of competition more of a grind than his body should try to handle.
Obviously, he decided to suit up. He was feeling better after the All-Star break and played arguably his best ball of the year in the playoffs against the Toronto Raptors. It was off to join Coach K.
The last time out, Paul George wore #29.
Bad memories and an NBA jersey change led to a new number this time around on Team USA, however.
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Team USA leaders Paul George and Kevin Durant enjoyed some final tune-up work before heading to South America to represent the red, white, and blue.
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The exhibition schedule featured no-contest affairs against the like of Argentina and China. Paul George enjoyed his time showing off for the crowd.
Indiana’s Finest: Paul George and Tamika Catchings chop it up on the plane to Brazil.
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Practice makes perfect. Paul George and Team USA get their shots up — and pose for a few photos — before the group play begins.
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Opening Ceremonies. So fresh and so clean (even if the shirts were meh).
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There is no glory without pain.
Paul George knows more than most about the sacrifices that must be made in training. But anyone who thinks talent alone can get you to the highest rungs of the sport is living in a fantasy world. Even PG and KD have to put the work in daily.
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Let the games begin.
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Game recognize game. Paul George enjoyed his time in Rio and few moments were more special than meeting Brazilian football legend Ronaldo. PG grew up knowing the two-time World Cup winner through the FIFA video game and got the chance to meet him in his home town.
Paul George oddly only got the starting nod in two of eight games in Rio, despite probably being the second-best performer throughout the games.
A casual dap and glare from PG can tell you who was starting ahead of him.
Starter or reserve, PG thrived throughout the Olympics, locking up ballhandlers and swinging on rims.
It wasn’t all fun and games in Rio de Janiero. Brazil is known for its beautiful street art, and Paul George got a first-hand lesson in a new culture in between the competition.
Paul George is a lot of things to a lot of people. In the Olympics, he was a lockdown defender who was invaluable to his teammates and terrifying to the opposition.
And he did it all with a smile.
Paul George missed this dunk in the gold-medal game, but the nobody said a poster has to be converted to include a beautiful image.
While the road to gold wasn’t as easy for Team USA as most thought it should be, the result was all that mattered to the players.
Whether the final scores are close or lopsided, the medals still weigh the same.
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Paul George wasn’t the only Indiana pro basketball star who won gold this summer. Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever also walked away from the Olympics victorious for her fourth (4th!!!!!!!!) time.
They shared a snack on the plane home.
Paul George: the Pacers Golden Boy.
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