Two teams are affected by the injury incurred by Paul George. These are the US Nation Team and his NBA Team, Indiana Pacers.
George has suffered an open tibia-fibula fracture on his right leg right after he landed on his right leg awkwardly after trying to defend a layup. His bone snaps right above the ankle early in the fourth quarter of the games. The remaining time was cancelled thereafter.
Now, both team are wondering how they are going to go about the games without having George around. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said "This is a tough blow for not only USA Basketball, but for the Indiana Pacers."
Currently, George is at the Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas after his surgery and is expected to remain hospitalized for about three days.
Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird has also issued an optimistic statement hoping George will be able to return to Indianapolis by next week right before his long rehab process will start.
When Bird was ask last Saturday if he has a time table for George he said "It is way too early to speculate on his return as the No. 1 priority for everyone will be his recovery. Our initial discussions with our doctors and the doctors in Las Vegas have us very optimistic."
He added "Any discussion regarding the future of our team would be inappropriate at this time. Our focus is solely on Paul and doing whatever we can to help."
The Pacers are struggling over this loss knowing that they also had Lance Stephenson departure from the team due to free agency. Stephenson is now with Charlotte. The Pacers where a round short of the NBA Finals the last two years, now that status is shaking without George.
But for Bird, the team is more focused in keeping the team stronger. He said "There is no question about the impact on our team but our goal is to be as strong-willed and determined as Paul will be in coming back. Our franchise has had setbacks in its history but has demonstrated the abilities to recover. Paul will provide the example of that off the court and it is up to the rest of us to provide that example on the court."
