Paul George met with reporters last Friday two weeks after he had a gruesome injury that caused him to withdraw from playing with the US National Team in the World Cup and also will leave him out of the next season of the NBA.
George had 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.
George said that he had watched the video of his injury and said "I watched it one time and that will be the last time I see that video. I really want to put all that behind me."
A debate has sparked whether NBA players should be playing for the World Cup but George believes that the criticism that the US National Team is unfair and he still wishes to play in the next World Cup.
He said "I can personally say it was a freak accident. No one has really been injured since USA Basketball has been here. I've never seen someone take a huge injury. I just think it just happened. Freak accidents happen."
"It sucks I was on the bad side of it, but they don't deserve any criticism for this. I would love to still be a part of Team USA in 2016. At the end of the day it's all about representing our country and bringing home the gold."
He also expressed his utmost gratitude to all who prayed for his recovery. Aside from that, he also thanked U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski and managing director Jerry Colangelo for their support. USA Basketball players will each wear a patch on their shooting shirts in George's honor in the exhibition games. George said that the act is "kind of awesome."
But George appeared most touch by his Pacer's team support. He said "Roy [Hibbert] came in and visited me in the hospital in Vegas and he brought me some gummy bears and he gave me a silk and fur blanket. The fact that they were there for me ... C.J. Watson was there before I went into surgery visiting me in the hospital. ...George Hill came over. [Chris] Copeland came over."
"Coach Vogel came to see me from a vacation. That really meant a lot to have my guys there by my side. It is a tough time for me."
