Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski had some very high praise for Indiana Pacers and Team USA forward Paul George, who grotesquely injured his leg in a Team USA scrimmage back in 2014. From Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:
Krzyzewski and George said they have resisted openly addressing that horrific past for one simple season.
“I had the mindset that anytime I was on that court,” George said, “I wasn’t going to be thinking about the injury.”
…
“He’s playing the best basketball of his life right now,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s a very gifted athlete. To see him come back like this, he’s a really good guy to coach. You can play him everywhere.”
Coach K isn’t kidding when it comes to George’s versatility on the court. George is listed at 6’9″, 220 pounds, and can play the two, three, or four with ease. He’s also capable of handling the ball as a point forward, and would be able to slide in at the five in small-ball lineup.
George was very productive in 2015-16, averaging a career-high 23.1 points per game, to go with 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.9 steals. He shot 41.8% from the field and 37.1% from deep.
In Team USA’s exhibition game vs. Argentina, George contributed 18 points on 7/11 shooting off the bench.
