USA Basketball: 3 Takeaways From Win Against Argentina

Paul George Is Back And Better Than Ever

If anyone had a valid reason to skip out on the Olympics, it was Paul George, who missed out on the 2014 Olympics after suffering one of the most gruesome injuries in sports and subsequently missing most of the 2014-15 season for the Indiana Pacers.

However, George is back and wants to show that he’s not taking up a charity spot on the roster.

“I’m here for a reason,” George told Michael Lee of The Vertical. “I’m not just a guy that Coach K brought along.”

George didn’t need to prove anything to anyone after making a full recovery and averaging 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his first full season back after an injury that threatened his basketball career.

Still, George is back in a USA uniform and is aiming to make people think about his play in international play and not his injury.

George finished the exhibition with 18 points in 16 minutes, second only in scoring to Durant. His offensive work was extremely efficient, making 7 of his 11 field goal attempts, including all 5 of his two-point attempts.

George was the best version of himself, wreaking havoc defensively and triggering fast break opportunities for the U.S. national team.

For international play, George is a wing who crosses off every key part of a checklist for a player you’d want. He can play three positions in international play, he can play with and without the ball, he might be the best defensive wing playing in the Olympics, he’s a good-to-great three-point shooter, and he excels in transition.

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I hate to say it’s a redemption story since George was not defeated when he suffered his injury in 2014, but it feels like a great redemption story for George. If he continues his excellent play and is a guiding force in a gold medal run, then 2014 will be truly put behind him.