Pacers LinkStorm: Paul George Injury Edition
By Evan Reller
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team Blue guard Paul George (29) is carted off on a gurney after injuring his leg during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas &Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The Pacers will face a myriad of problems this coming season with Paul George out for at least a year. Everyone in sports has kicked in their opinion and well wishes to the budding All-Star.
Following Friday’s gruesome injury, we learned a lot about the uphill battle that George will face.
The discussion has already moved past the injury to concerns about player safety and FIBA (the International Basketball Association) rules.
Dallas Mavericks’ owner Marc Cuban has long been an opponent of FIBA’s rules. Marc Stein from ESPN breaks down Cuban’s thought following the injury.
NBA team’s express their concerns in this video at ESPN.
There are also concerns regarding the placement of the basket stanchion. The base was two feet closer to the baseline in Vegas than it is in any NBA Stadium. The play was essentially a freak accident that could of happened to anyone, but was highly unlikely under normal circumstances.
Joseph Zucker at Bleacher/Report takes a look at the placement of basket stanchions.
Here is some of the best from around the internet:
Pacers.com posted all the kind words directed towards George on twitter. Seeing the outpouring of support has to be encouraging and shows just how close the fraternity of NBA players really is.
Will Carroll at Bleacher/Report discusses the long road to recovery that George faces.
Nate Silver and 538.com look at all the Pacers and their fans have to look forward to this season. He predicts that they will still make the playoffs. While it is a nice thought, making the playoffs doesn’t exactly do anything for the future of this team. However a lottery draft pick could help quite a bit.
Head over to fellow Fansided site 8 Points 9 Seconds and check out their coverage over the weekend (11 stories and counting).
Players from the Colts offer up their well wishes for a speedy recovery in this video.
Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst from ESPN breakdown all the questions that arise in the wake of George’s injury.
J.A. Adande, also at ESPN, talks about the difference between this and other injuries for Team USA. There is the possibility that this could lead to teams not permitting franchise players from playing on the national team.
Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo Sports continues the discussion of the potential changes for international basketball.
Kelly Dwyer from Yahoo Sports and Ball Don’t Lie looks at what comes next for the Pacers.
Bob Kravtiz from the IndyStar takes a thoughtful look at George’s recovery and spends time talking to Pacers’ GM Kevin Pritchard.