Thunder head athletic trainer Joe Sharpe was there for both Andre Roberson's season-ending knee injury in January and Paul George's leg break with Team USA in 2014. [Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman]

As Andre Roberson was laying on the baseline that season-altering Saturday in Detroit, of all his Thunder teammates, Paul George knew what he was feeling more than anyone.

Four years earlier, George was down on the baseline with a career-threatening injury. Now, crouched down in front of Roberson, George looked to his right and saw a comforting face.

When Roberson and George were injured, Thunder trainer Joe Sharpe was there. He's the common thread between the Thunder players during the most pivotal moments of their careers.

“I tried to get up almost like in a sit-up position to look at my leg, and he pushed me back down,” George told NBA TV in 2014. “He told me ‘Everything's going to be OK. Don't look at it. You're going to get through it. Just stay strong.'”