OKC Thunder: Paul George’s inspirational career resurgence
OKC Thunder star Paul George is experiencing a career resurgence after traumatic injury. For players waging their own comebacks, PG13 serves as an example of what can be accomplished via patience and hard work.
OKC Thunder star Paul George career resurgence after traumatic injury proves hard work and patience can pay big dividends.
On a fateful August evening in 2014, OKC Thunder’s Paul George suffered a horrific leg injury going up for a block, in a Team USA scrimmage of all things. It showed how fragile life can be, shifting the momentum in the blink of an eye. The injury led to lessons learned for all athletes to be mindful of when protecting their health and served as a cruel display of providence.
Even though freak injuries are unavoidable, for George, it set off a rocky path of uncertainty.
Last fall, following Gordon Hayward‘s equally devastating injury, George spoke to the media regarding how Hayward’s injury brought back fresh memories. PG stated his original prognosis was that it would take two or three years to return to his normal level of play. He defied the odds and got back on the court within less than a year, but notes his game was altered.
At the time in October of 2017, PG admitted he “wasn’t as explosive, or as bouncy”. Moreover, he noted the harsh reminder of a “bump on his leg” that will be there the rest of [his] life.
Even now as an MVP candidate and delivering career bests stats, George has proven to be the example of how to come back from catastrophic injury.
Paul George on Gordon Hayward’s injury, and his own experience coming back from one: pic.twitter.com/2KlDNzN3x3
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) October 18, 2017
The full media interview on George discussing his injury and his thoughts in the immediate aftermath of Gordon Hayward’s injury can be viewed via Royce Young of ESPN’s tweet. above.