Paul George, the man who defied expectations when he became an NBA All-Star, is still hopeful that he will be back in an Indiana Pacers uniform late next season. The basketball player is reportedly in rehab from a gruesome leg injury he received during training camp in USA Baskebtall.
Here is what the Pacers forward said, according to NBA.com, "All I can do at this point is sleep, watch TV and lay down, so it's tough for me. I'm used to being active, lifting weights, being in the gym. At the same time, I want to be part of this team. The last thing I want to do is feel like I'm not part of this team because I'm out. I'm holding out hope, just personally, because I want to be back."
George's injury will reportedly prove a great challenge for head Coach Frank Vogel and President Larry Bird entering the 2014-15 season. Though George is hoping for a return, it is highly unlikely that he would be playing sometime during the entire season. Moreover, Vogel and Bird will have their hands full now that the East has gotten a lot tougher, with LeBron James leading the newly revamped Cleveland Cavaliers and Derrick Rose returning into elite form for the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls also just acquired Pau Gasol this summer.
With George expected to be out for a year, many are expecting the Pacers to tank the coming season. Bird, however, is not planning to raise the white flag just yet. USA Today quoted the legend, who said, "Have our expectations lowered any? I don't think so. I think we'll compete hard and do our best to make the playoffs; that's always one of our goals. I can sit up here and sugarcoat it all you want me to, but you just can't replace Paul George."
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report points out that George's injury, on the other hand, changes everything about the Pacers' future. Though the team clinched the No.1 seed with 56 wins last season, could not call it a success. The season was tarnished with locker room drama, fighting, and finger pointing. Team Chemistry was suspect in the playoffs - the team had to take the 8th seeded Atlanta Hawks to 7 games.
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