Paul George presser: In good spirits, leaves 2014-15 window open, eye on 2016 Olympics

Indiana Pacers star Paul George spoke with the media on Friday for the first time since breaking his leg during a USA Basketball scrimmage on Aug. 1.

"I just want to give a huge thanks to my fans that have been behind me," George opened before thanking the rest of the Pacers organization, the USA Basketball program, teammates, sponsors, and more.

George was in good spirits, smiling often and espousing a positive message at every turn.

On what the past two weeks have been like:

They've been tough, I can't lie. They've been tough. As of now, it's kind of just lounging around, catching up with TV series, playing video games and just enjoying my family.

On the timeline for getting back on the floor, and whether playing this year is possible:

That I don't know yet. It's really a day-to-day process. You don't want to put a date on it or a time frame on it.
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As far as I'm concerned, it will be a time table. I would love to come back and play this year...I understand that there might be a possibility that I won't be back this year. I'm very aware of that...If I have the opportunity to make a comeback, I'm looking forward to it...A little hope.

On his long-term expectations:

I expect a strong left leg long-term. It's something that I think I can overcome. It's a bump in the road but I'll be able to battle through this. I don't think it will affect me in a negative way, there's so much I can take from this. I'm really taking this in a positive way, I get to sit back and just watch the game. And learn.

On when he realized the severity of the injury:

When I looked down and saw the bone sticking out, I knew it was bad. I've felt pain before but I had never felt pain like that.
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It felt like gasoline was on my leg and someone set a match.
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I watched it one time. That’ll be the last time I see that video.

On how he'll handle the season from a mental standpoint:

We have a great psychologist here, who I actually visited with a couple days ago. So I'll be very close with him, just to approach and attack this the right way. Again, I'm not looking at this as something negative.

On his relationship with USA Basketball:

I think it's real unfair to get the criticism they're getting. It was a freak accident. Nobody's really been injured with USA Basketball...I think it just happened...They don't deserve any criticism for this. I plan to be a part of it in 2016 to try and bring home the gold.
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Absolutely. It's in Brazil.

I look forward to it, to having the opportunity to participate with Team USA in 2016. This injury has nothing to do with...playing for my country at all.

As for the Pacers' outlook, George said he's looking forward to David West taking on a bigger role and he thinks the Pacers can still win the Eastern Conference, though he admitted to feeling guilt about not being out there (seriously, someone asked him if he feels guilty).

He also discussed changing his jersey number from 24 to 13, saying that he had thought about it before but was superstitious, and that being a big Kobe Bryant fan caused him some pause (he also blamed Miles Plumlee, who wore No. 13 for the Pacers in 2012-13).

It's good to see him keeping such an upbeat attitude about things given how unfortunate the entire situation is. That takes a lot of strength.