The long road back: Paul George's triumphant return to All-Star form
The 2014-15 season was supposed to be big for Paul George, but sometimes, the basketball gods have different plans.
Fresh off a wildly successful 2013-14 campaign which saw the Indiana Pacers' swingman named to the All-Star team for the second consecutive year and selected as a All-Defensive First Teamer, the 2010 10th overall pick was poised to take another step toward super-stardom after a productive summer with the U.S. Men's National Team.
And then, on Aug. 1, the "break heard around the world" happened, effectively halting George's rising momentum for the foreseeable future.
Related: How Twitter reacted to the gruesome Paul George leg injury
George missed all but six games last season as he recovered from a broken leg and torn ACL in his right knee.
While his talent was never in question, many wondered whether George would be able to regain the elite athleticism that made him a household name.
Now, 17 months after the injury that temporarily derailed his career, George has not only resumed his high-caliber level of play of yesteryear, he's surpassed it.
| PPG | 3P% | RPG | APG | SPG | PER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 (pre-injury) | 21.7 | 36.4 | 6.8 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 20.1 |
| 2015-16 | 23.7 | 37.9 | 7.4 | 4 | 2 | 20.8 |
While George's statistical improvements haven't been astronomical compared to two seasons ago, he's kept his Pacers - sometimes single-handedly - in playoff position in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Related: Stephen Curry, Paul George named as Players of the Month
His fifth-seeded squad (23-19) will likely prove a tough out for whichever team draws them in the playoffs' first round, as they rank eighth in the NBA in both points scored (102.5) - thanks to George's usage rate (30.5 percent) - and points allowed (99.5).
For his renewed on-court dominance, the Fresno State alumnus was rewarded by fans with his second All-Star starting gig.
“It’s an honor to be called in the Starting 5” - @YG_Trece, @Pacers (via @NBAonTNT) https://t.co/5a7thZ0Ely
— 2016 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) January 22, 2016
Although George prefers not to recount his memories of the gruesome injury, he acknowledges the impact it's had on him mentally, and the strength the long, arduous healing process instilled in him.
"It’s always an inspiration to sit back, see where I came from and see where I’m at now, but it’s always a reminder as well that when I’m on the court, anything can happen," George said.
"One thing, I didn’t quit on believing."
Thanks to George's unrelenting commitment to the game, the 2016 NBA All-Star game will be rated "PG-13."