George Shines as USA Basketball make light of Argentina in Exhibition

Paul George returned to the scene of his career-threatening injury Friday, and looked like a player ready to begin a new chapter in his career.
Admittedly nervous but outwardly poised, he scored 18 points to help lead the USA Men’s Basketball team to a 111-74 victory over Argentina in an exhibition game at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Just two years ago on Aug. 1 in Las Vegas, George suffered a broken leg while participating in an intrasquad scrimmage for the U.S. team preparing to compete in the FIBA World Cup. That injury cost him all but six games in the 2014-15 season and seemed to hold him back throughout parts of last season.
Friday, however, he appeared physically and psychologically free from the injury routinely described as “horrific.”
Kevin Durant led the U.S. team with 23 points, but George was the biggest story throughout. He was the subject of much of the broadcasters’ conversation during the game, was interviewed on the court afterward and was the lead topic on the NBA TV postgame studio show.
“I was a little leery about stepping on this Vegas floor,” George said.
“It was a lot of emotions, I’m not going to lie. The guys in the locker room did a great job of making sure I was good before we came out.”
George, who did not start either half, hit 7-of-11 shots in 16 minutes. He scored 10 of his points in the first quarter, hitting two 3-pointers, and 14 in the first half. His trepidation might have shown most on two breakaway dunks in the second 10-minute period, which he executed cautiously.
Otherwise he played an assertive game, defending aggressively and moving the ball well, although some of his passes didn’t evolve into assists because of missed shots or fumbled receptions.
“We played well; we can do a whole lot better,” George said. “We missed a lot of shots we’re capable of making. For us it’s about rhythm and timing. The more we gel, the more we get more practice time, the more these exhibition games come around, the better we’ll get.”
Argentina’s roster included four players with NBA experience: former Pacer Luis Scola, Manu Ginobili, Andre Nocioni and Carlos Delfino. The U.S. team led by as many as 29 points in the first half and was never threatened, although Argentina played it evenly in the third quarter.
Color analyst Steve Smith said during the game George “could be an MVP candidate. The way he’s moving now, he could be in that conversation.”
Studio analyst Dennis Scott also was impressed.
“Playing in the regular season is one thing, but to get those demons out of his head (was important),” Scott said.
“I saw the comfort, the confidence. One thing about Paul George, when he comes off the bench there’s no pressure.”
George said he was “grateful” to have a spot reserved for him on the Olympic team after having to miss the FIBA tournament because of his injury.
“They stuck to their word,” he said. “They’re just as committed to me as I’m committed to playing for my country. That went a long ways. Especially this being (coach Mike Krzyzewski’s) last go-around. This one’s special for me, special for him. It’s only right to be a part of this one.”
There’s one other thing George will be grateful for.
“Hopefully after the Olympics,” he told interviewer Sage Steele, “I won’t have to be asked about my injury anymore.”