With only a few games left in the 2014-15 regular season, Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird says he expects Paul George to play this year.
“He’s getting a lot better,” Bird said. “I think he has to go through a series of tests this week, just like we’ve always been doing to see where he’s at. I think he’s cleared by the doctors to play, but obviously he’s not in shape. Just because he’s cleared to play, doesn’t mean he’s in shape to play. And I don’t want Paul to go out there until he feels comfortable with his conditioning and the way he’s practicing. I’d like to see him do a little bit better.
“It was a rough go at the beginning, which we knew it was going to be. He (isn’t) going to be Paul George, 100 percent. We know that. But I think mentally he wants to get out there, play a few games and get ready to see what he needs to do this summer to get back to 100 percent — and he will.
“I expect him to play this year. I hope he does for his own good — not for us to get in the playoffs or anything like that, but just for his own mental state. I think anytime you go through an injury like that, you have to get back out there and prove yourself. But he’s not going to be 100 percent.”
PG: "When the time comes, it's gonna steamroll."
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 23, 2015
PG: "I've reached a point where I know if something's not right, but there are times where I surprise myself."
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 23, 2015
H/T: ESPN’s Mike Mazzeo
