Paul George: 'It was everything that I expected'

Paul George received the homecoming welcome Sunday night. From the Indiana Pacers fans filling Bankers Life Fieldhouse, and even before the game against the Miami Heat, when a four-star general presented him honorary dog tags.

After recovering from a broken leg suffered eight months ago, George had the love and appreciation on his side. And he needed it. Upon checking out of his first game of the season, George, breathing heavily through a contented smile, told a statistician: "I felt like a rookie!"

During the Pacers' 112-89 win, George played 15 minutes and scored 13 points (5-of-12 from the floor with three 3-pointers) as well as two rebounds, assists and steals. In the first quarter, George blundered a breakaway layup. He called the moment, "embarrassing," but a necessary gaffe on his road to a full recovery. George also turned the ball over three times and picked up just as many fouls, but the Pacers (34-43) outscored the Heat by 12 while he was on the floor.

"It was everything that I expected," George said.

The game would fit the dream that has carried George through months of rigorous rehabilitation. George got decent sleep the night before — his daughter, Olivia, is in town and keeping up with an 11-month old has a way of wearing people out. Then after Easter Sunday service, George arrived at the arena. The moment was already there waiting.

His family had flown in, same for his child's mother, so did his Los Angeles-based agent. Even John Schnatter, better known as Papa John, took a court side seat wearing Pacer blue.

Near the middle the first quarter, George stood from his seat on the bench and shared a hug with coach Frank Vogel before walking to the scorer's table. At the 5:34 mark, George officially checked in — he lazily chewed on his mouthpiece, looking as calm and undaunted by 18,165 standing and roaring with his every step.

"Probably the greatest moment that I've had," George said of the thunderous reception.

A moment a long time coming, and one treasured by his family.

"Now that it happened, I think he made the right decision," Paul George Sr. said. "It was kind of scary at first, but after seeing him run up and down the court (and) do what he did — he's back."

Last Aug. 1, Paul George suffered a severely broken right leg during a USA Basketball exhibition in Las Vegas.

A few days later, Big Paul stood outside Sunrise Hospital in the desert heat and -- though tears watered the rim of his eyes when recalling the night -- he would tell himself everything would be OK. As the calendar turned slowly, he would need that reminder while often trying to get through to his only boy. Shut it down, he would say. Wait for next year. Don't rush back. Heal up. The natural hesitation, and protection, from a father concerned about his only son's well being. Then along came Saturday, and the Georges flew into Indianapolis. That's when his wife, Paulette, shared the news.

"Huh?" George Sr. said upon hearing that Paul George would make his season debut Sunday. "Then when we got to his house, (George) said, 'Yeah, dad, I'm playing.' "

Of course, the Georges, sitting front row in vibrant green Easter outfits, had nerves. Vegas can still haunt their thoughts. But at the 3:45 mark, when George dragged his defender through a screen to rise for his first shot, the fears dissolved.

"After he got out there and made the first basket," George, Sr. said. "I was like, 'Ohhh! I think he's back!' "

That 'I'm back' light switch would click on a bit later for the player himself.

George, who often has said his comeback would be to "get my feet wet," showed good activity in finishing his first 7-minute spurt of the half. Through his second rotation on the court, George looked even better.

Showing no hesitation to work through a crowd for a layup attempt — an encouraging sign — George missed an easy shot on the first play of the fourth quarter. Then, he decided to stretch his game around the perimeter. First, a turnaround jumper over Michael Beasley. Then, a steal and flash of speed on another fast break. George never felt tested by the Heat, so he noticed how he could play off the ball; it led to several deflections by jumping the passing lanes.

The Heat might have forgotten about him on the other end as well, because George took advantage of clean looks throughout the night. At the 10:17 mark, George knocked down a 3 on an inbounds play. Still hungry only a few possessions later, George saw another chance to rise and fire from deep. This time when the shot sank through, and the noise decibels erupted, George turned down court, removed his mouthpiece and screamed in delight.

"That was that moment of being back," George said.

By that time, the Pacers held a commanding lead and were on their way to a first win — and within a game of the final playoff berth — with the roster fully in tact. George had only a bit more run remaining on the court. Then with his minutes still under the expected limit, Vogel sent C.J. Miles in as a sub.

George walked off the court, feeling a bit like a rookie and some soreness, but no pain blasting through that twice surgically-repaired right leg. As he reached the sideline, Vogel pulled him into a bro-hug embrace and reached up to share the words many felt for the last eight months.

"Damn," Vogel said. "I missed you."

Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.