Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird recently spoke about the team's star forward, Paul George, and his return to Team USA. Bird is proud of PG13's progress and how he bounced back from the gruesome leg injury he suffered in 2014.

In a Q&A with ESPN's Nick Friedell, Bird said he understands the situation his franchise player is in and he knows how difficult George's journey was to get back to where he is now, stating that the mental aspect takes time to overcome.

“It's a pretty good situation for him because he came back (and) had a pretty good year last year, No pain. Got through all that. And I think that his goal was always to go back and play for his country and be around the guys (who) are the best in the league, or some of them are. Just get back involved in USA Basketball because it has been a long couple years for him.

“When you go through something like that, I think it's more mental than it is physical, But it was a horrific injury. It took him time, but he worked hard and did the things necessary to get back.”

“Larry Legend” could have had ill will towards USA Basketball since George suffered the injury in a Team USA scrimmage, sidelining him for nearly all of the 2014-2015 season. After consecutive conference finals appearances, the Pacers missed the playoffs.

The 1992 Dream Team member recalled the feeling of playing for the United States and how proud he felt to represent his country.

“I just wish everybody had that feeling,” Bird added. “If you love your country and you get to represent them and you can win, it's one of the greatest feelings, and I wanted Paul to have the same feeling. And I know he cares, he wants to play and he wants to win, and I think it's awesome.”

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