The NBA career of Paul George abruptly came to an end in the summer of 2014 and NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s support for Paul George. Known for his rapid quickness and accurate shooting, the then-24-year-old Indiana Pacers star had a horrific leg injury during a Team USA scrimmage. When George attempted to block a jumper by James Harden, he suffered a shocking fracture to both his tibia and fibula, which put his promising career in jeopardy.
After winning the league’s Most Improved Player award and being chosen an NBA All-Star, George was left to face an uncertain future. George described the unbearable pain he later experienced as feeling if someone had poured petrol on his leg and then sparked a match. My body flew into shock when my leg caught fire. Days of anguish, anxiety, and uncertainty ensued as George got ready for surgery and wondered what would become of his basketball career.
Kobe Bryant’s Support for Paul George: A Call from a Legend
Paul George Sr., George’s father, was by his side as he lay in his hospital bed, waiting for surgery. George Sr. saw something at that very moment that he will never forget. George Sr. recalled, “His agent, Aaron, somehow got Mr. Bryant on the phone.” He then gave Paul the phone, and they had a conversation. “Guess who I was just talking to?” Paul grinned as he hung up the phone. “I just got off the phone with Kobe Bryant,” he stated. Then they wheeled him into surgery immediately thereafter.
The Mamba Mentality: Insightful Advice
One of the most admired players in basketball history, Kobe Bryant, gave a call that was more than just consolation; it was a lifeline. George, who grew up idolising Bryant, experienced a transformation during those brief phone conversations. In a recent episode of Paul George’s podcast, Podcast P, George talked candidly about what Bryant said to him during that crucial exchange. “He was like, ‘If you need anything from me, I’m here. I’m in this with you,’” George recalled. But Bryant, known for his relentless work ethic and ‘Mamba Mentality,’ didn’t sugarcoat the road ahead. “He was just like, ‘The rehab is going to be tough. The work is going to be hard. Nobody wants to rehab,’” George remembered.
Bryant’s message was very clear: George’s level of enthusiasm and passion on the basketball court will be needed on the long and difficult road to recovery.
“The work is going to be tedious, it’s going to be tiresome, and you’re not going to want to do it,” Bryant told him. “But my advice is to attack rehab the same way you attack working out on the court. You find fun in working out on the basketball court; you’ve got to find that same fun in the rehab. There’s no other way you’re going to get through it. Just attack rehab like you attack the basketball court.”
The Path to Recuperation and Victory
George found great resonance in these remarks, and eight months later, he miraculously recovered to rejoin the NBA. In addition to getting back to his former form, he also kept improving as a player, being selected to many All-Star teams and becoming one of the best players in the league.
George’s path from the terrible injury to his victorious comeback is evidence of his tenacity and willpower. It’s also a tale about the value of mentoring and the influence of a hero’s timely words of support. Together with his frank advise, Kobe Bryant’s unfailing faith in George gave the rising star the mental toughness to get through one of the hardest obstacles of his career.
Honoring the Legacy of the Game
In a heartbreaking turn of events, George recently discussed on his podcast how important it is to honor the heritage of the game. George underlined the importance of paying tribute to those who led the way in response to remarks made by another NBA player Anthony Edwards, who had questioned the ability of players from earlier generations.
“I thought it was kind of disrespectful to the game,” George said. “It was a very immature comment. Obviously, Anthony Edwards is super talented and has a bright future ahead. But the game has grown so much, you have to respect those who paved the way.”
Paul George feels a sense of reverence not only for the great people who came before him but also for the teachings they taught him, lessons that enabled him to rise above the most uncertain times in his own life
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