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Insider: Paul George wants gold medal to complete redemption story

Nate Taylor
nate.taylor@indystar.com
TORONTO, ON - MAY 01:  Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers looks on late in the second half of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on May 01, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

All Paul George needs is a final chapter.

Two summers ago, he lay flat on a stretcher, bone protruding through his right leg. Now, recovered and with a full season under his belt, George has ascended to a level of play few thought possible.

And he knows he just needs a final scene to have closure on the last two years.

George hopes that moment comes Aug. 21 at Carioca Arena 1 in Brazil with a gold medal hanging from his neck.

“Winning this gold medal is definitely completing the story from the injury,” he said Wednesday of his decision to play for Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics. “It’s a personal achievement for me. I almost owe myself this second chance of getting an opportunity to play for the country.”

Paul George looks ahead to Olympics

The last time George was in a USA uniform was Aug. 1, 2014. He was playing in an intrasquad scrimmage in Las Vegas and appeared to have a guaranteed spot on the 12-man roster for the World Cup of Basketball in Spain. But George sustained his gruesome injury when he collided with the basketball stanchion while trying to defend a fast break.

Once George returned to the court, he was unsure if he would play for USA Basketball again. He remained uncommitted to playing in the Olympics throughout last season amid concerns of how his body would respond after his first full season back from injury. George, though, didn't miss a game last season because of injury and averaged a career-high 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

Healthy and more appreciative of his career, George began thinking of the possibility of returning to USA Basketball after the Pacers were eliminated from the playoffs. After George suffered his injury in 2014, USA Basketball's managing director Jerry Colangelo said a spot would be reserved for the Pacers star. Two weeks ago, USA coach Mike Krzyzewski called George to formally invite him to the team.

“You can’t turn down Coach K,” George said of Krzyzewski, who will be coaching in his third and final Olympics in August. “He’s been in my corner ever since the injury – and before the injury. A lot of the decision was riding on Coach K, as well, it being his last go around. I thought it would be special to be a part of it for him.”

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the USA Basketball Men's National Team has his team primed for a run at the gold in Rio.

George first met Krzyzewski in 2011 when he was a member of the USA Select team. The two developed a friendship quickly as George was beginning to develop as an All-Star.

Their bond grew stronger after George’s injury. Krzyzewski visited George in the hospital and a photo of the two hugging captured their emotions a day after surgery. Since then, George said Krzyzewski has been one of his biggest supporters. Krzyzewski was in Bankers Life Fieldhouse when George returned to the Pacers on April 5, 2015.

“He pretty much just told me (in 2011), ‘You’re special and at some point you’ll be playing for me,’” George said of Krzyzewski. “I really grew up in the USA program and I’ve been there ever since my rookie year. It meant a lot to me that they were committed with me the same way I was committed to them.”

George said he is not concerned about the Zika virus, which has scared some players away from the Olympics, or where the basketball stanchions will be once USA Basketball begins its training camp July 18-21 back in Las Vegas. He understands Pacers fans are worried about the possibility of him getting injured again in international competition.

“There’s always a risk,” he said. “There’s a risk putting my shoes on and stepping on the floor. I don’t play the game looking at injuries. I play the game because I love it.”

Doyel: Paul George's quest for super stardom goes through Rio

Before his injury, George dreamed of playing for his country, the USA in red on the chest area of his white and blue jersey. Since the injury, George has used it as motivation – to return to the court, to return to form and now to return to USA Basketball.

He was asked if he received a gold medal two years ago for USA’s victory in the World Cup, a promise Krzyzewski made to him. George declined to answer. He instead shifted his focus to what he believes will be the symbol of his full redemption story, the Olympic gold medal.

“It’s in Rio,” he said. “It’s waiting for me.”

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

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