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George Comeback Attempt Continues Ahead of Schedule

The media was called to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday for an interview opportunity with Paul George, which sent speculation meters spinning.

Was he shutting it down for the season?

Is his recovery ahead of schedule?

Did he have a project to promote?

Tell us, Paul.

“I've got LeBron tomorrow,” he said.

Jokingly, of course.

Actually, the latest news on Paul George's comeback from the broken right leg he suffered on Aug, 1 is positive. Not playing-Friday-against-Cleveland positive, but positive just the same. He had just completed his first full-court, full-participation practice with the Pacers, beating his stated goal by a few days, and felt fine.

He has no timetable for a return this season, and doesn't even promise he'll play this season, but preseason gloom continues to give way to late-season hope. He had set March 1 as a goal for returning to practice full-time, and still hopes to meet his goal of returning to game action by mid-March. The Pacers have home games against Boston and Toronto on March 14 and 16, respectively.

“That's the date that I wish to return,” he said. “A long ways away. Still have some steps and some hurdles to overcome, but that's still a goal of mine.”

Those steps and hurdles amount to him putting his injured leg through the routine pounding of practice and seeing how it responds. He'll need to improve his conditioning, of course, and get back his timing and shooting touch, but otherwise it's a matter of being able to play without much physical pain or limitation.

During his rehabilitation, he has improved his upper body strength, gaining 10 pounds of muscle. He also believes he's shooting better, having had so much time to put up shots. But what about that impressive vertical jump? Is it as good as before the injury?

“Off my left leg,” he said, smiling.

The mere fact George can joke about his rehab process can be taken as an encouraging sign. He and coach Frank Vogel remain cautious, and try to keep enthusiasm over his possible return in check. But they acknowledge there's at least a reasonable likelihood he'll play this season.

“It's encouraging, but we still understand he has a long way to go,” Vogel said.

“Aug. 1, right after it happened, I didn't think I'd be here right now,” George said. “I'm happy to be practicing again. Just running gives me a smile.”

George said the pain in his formerly broken right leg fluctuates, that some days are better than others. He isn't close to the form that made him a starter in last season's All-Star game and a third-team All-NBA selection. “But I see the strides coming,” he said. “I see the old PG coming back.”

The decision on his return will be made by the Pacers' medical staff, coaches and George. He doesn't necessarily have veto power over other opinions.

“I think I have a word in it,” he said. “I don't know if it's the last word.”

George could be returning to an ascending team. The Pacers have won six of their last eight games, and have eight of their next nine at home, beginning with Friday's game against James and the Cavs. They are one of six teams fighting for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. His return, obviously, could provide another boost.

“I think (his teammates) are more than capable of finishing this year off at a high note, but I think I'll be able to bring a lot when I get out there,” he said.

Notice he said when, not if. Another clue to his innermost thoughts might have come toward the end of Thursday's practice, when the Pacers were working five-on-five half-court. George, wearing a starter's blue jersey, was guarding Damo Rudez, and could be overhead during one dead ball responding to someone's comment by saying, “We'll have to wait a couple weeks for that.”

Whatever he was talking about, it wasn't sitting and watching.

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