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Pacers’ Paul George to attend USA Minicamp

By Scott Stewart

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Following the devastating leg injury Paul George suffered during Team USA minicamp last year, many wondered if he would return to team USA. Many more wondered if such a return is wise.

Paul George wants that gold medal and a nightmarish injury will not deter him. The Indiana Pacers have today announced that Paul George will indeed attend the USA minicamp in Colorado Springs dated August 11-13th.

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Last year, George suffered his horrific leg injury at USA minicamp during a game in Las Vegas. George was closing in on James Harden when he fell at an awkward angle causing his leg to trap beneath the hoop fixture, where it gave way and broke. The heartbreaking injury caused players, coaches, and fans alike from around the world to come together in support of then #24.

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George, who got his career back underway at the end of last season, is relishing the opportunity and has been named as one of 34 players on the team, 26 of whom are returning, including LeBron James and Kevin Durant.

The team is training for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where they will play games between the dates of August 5-21. This will be the first chance at a medal for George, who was not apart of the 2012 Olympic team that won gold, nor was he a part of the 2014 World Cup squad.

The question now becomes, should Paul George really be doing this again? The answer, an overwhelming yes.

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA basketball player Paul George is carted off the court on a gurney after suffering a broken leg during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Right now, Paul George is one of the best players in the league when fully fit and is still just 25 years old. Personally, it’s good to see that George isn’t shying away from the chance to represent his country because of a freak accident that happened last time around. Would I be scared as hell to step back onto that court? Probably. Would it make me rethink the decision to be with the team again? Maybe. But I’m not Paul George (thankfully) and he is showing that he has the courage to prove to everyone that once again he will rise to the challenge and come back even stronger.

When George first suffered his injury, Nike released a campaign about him coming back “stronger.” Right now is the time for George to prove that he is back to where the league wants him to be. Still a rising superstar and no doubt a past and future All-Star, George is still budding, still growing, and still trying to reach new heights – heights that NBA fans haven’t yet seen from him. From a Pacers standpoint, the team needs to be realistic in terms of challenging for the NBA title, but from a Paul George perspective – as long as he’s comfortable – there should be no reason why he doesn’t give absolutely everything he has in returning to the floor come camp time, and he will.

Training camp games will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center, where George suffered his first injury, on August 13th and will be televised.

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