The basketball world is still talking about Paul George’s graphic injury during the USA’s inter squad scrimmage on Friday night. It took a few days for Larry Bird to gather his thoughts but the Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations released a statement regarding the situation.
LARRY BIRD STATEMENT REGARDING PAUL GEORGE
“Our first thoughts are with Paul and his family. It is way too early to speculate on his return as the No. 1 priority for everyone will be his recovery. Our initial discussions with our doctors and the doctors in Las Vegas have us very optimistic. We are hopeful at some point next week Paul will return to Indianapolis to continue his recovery.
“There is no question about the impact on our team but our goal is to be as strong-willed and determined as Paul will be in coming back. Our franchise has had setbacks in its history but has demonstrated the abilities to recover. Paul will provide the example of that off the court and it is up to the rest of us to provide that example on the court. Any discussion regarding the future of our team would be inappropriate at this time. Our focus is solely on Paul and doing whatever we can to help.
”We still support USA Basketball and believe in the NBA’s goals of exposing our game, our teams and players worldwide. This is an extremely unfortunate injury that occurred on a highly-visible stage, but could also have occurred anytime, anywhere.
“Finally, the Pacers would like to thank our fans and the NBA community for their outreach of support in the brief amount of time since the injury occurred. It has been overwhelming and it is what makes Indiana and the NBA special.”
JOHNSON-ODOM HEADS TO CANTU
Former NBA guard Darius Johnson-Odom has signed for Cantu. The 24-year-old has brief NBA experience with Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers and spent last year in China.
He has signed for Cantu on a reported 2-year deal.
DIVAC UNDERGOES STOMACH SURGERY
NBA legend Vlade Divac has undergone stomach surgery in his native Serbia.
Via Associated Press:
Doctors said Saturday in a statement that Divac was admitted to a Belgrade hospital after feeling “strong pains in his stomach.”
The statement said his life was not threatened. It did not specify his exact health problem.
The 46-years-old Divac, who heads the Serbian Olympic Committee, started and ended his 16-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. From 1989 to 2005 he played for the Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets, and was an All-Star in 2001.
FISCHER TO KAZAN?
It is rumoured that D’Or Fischer could be on his way to Russian side Unics Kazan in the next few days.
Fischer, who holds an Israeli passport spent last season at Brose Baskets Bamberg.
RICKY TAYLOR HEADS TO NEWCASTLE
British Basketball League side Newcastle Eagles have announced the signing of Ricky Taylor from German side Finke Baskets Ehingen.
Taylor played four years scoring over 1600 points at the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga before starting his professional career in Germany last year. Newcastle coach Fabulous Flournoy is happy to have got a replacement for Malik Cooke on board quickly.
“In Ricky I think we have signed an enthusiastic and intelligent young man who has demonstrated the ability to play within a team ethos throughout his career,” Flournoy said. “His athleticism will help us in the backcourt and I am also encouraged by the fact that he is an excellent rebounder for a guard.”
