“Had 6 Surgeries…Nothing to Show for It”: Despite Overshadowing Michael Jordan for Young NBA Stars, Paul George Opens Up to “Lucky” Klay Thompson

The physicality in the NBA is unparalleled. With NBA stars often competing at the highest level with utmost intensity, things could easily go south in terms of injury. These injuries have the tendency to define an entire career in the NBA. This was the case with the Los Angeles Clippers forward, Paul George.

George went through few of the most gruesome injuries in his career. While most players succumb to these career-altering injuries, George bounced back in a heroic fashion. He lately discussed this aspect of athlete’s life with someone who went through something very similar, Klay Thompson.

Paul George discusses a dark phase in his life

Paul George has made a phenomenal career for himself in the NBA. The 8-time All-Star in fact, has been so good that the No.2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Brandon Miller picked him as the GOAT ahead of the former owner of his franchise, Michael Jordan. George clearly inspired a generation but his injuries had the potential to end his career a long time ago.

The former MVP frontrunner discussed this very aspect of his life with the Golden State Warriors guard, Klay Thompson. Having gone through something very similar not so long ago, Thompson knew exactly what goes on in such situations. On George’s podcast, “Podcast P”, Thompson said, “You gotta get a little lucky in this league, I’ve learnt too, you gotta get some breaks with injuries, I mean Paul and I have been through it....I have no complaints, like I’ll do it all over again. Injuries and all, because we’re here“.

Paul heartbreakingly said, “D**n that hurt!” He went on to add, “I had 6 surgeries….got nothing to show for it. You got rings to show for.”

However, Thompson immediately consoled George, also hailing the Clippers forward. “I couldn’t wait to tell you bro, like you really inspired me, I was there when that happened, bro. I saw you,” he said. Replying to George’s “rings to show for” statement, the 5-time All-Star said, “Yeah, but I never had to carry a franchise like you, bro.”

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Paul George and Klay Thompson had nothing but respect for each other. However, their suffering was very similar too.

George and Thompson had a difficult road in their journey

Paul George was one of the most promising players in the league in his early years. His extraordinary rise to the top shocked the world at the time. However, a USA Basketball scrimmage in 2014 changed everything.

George went through one of the most horrific injuries in basketball when he jammed his foot into the base of the backboard stanchion during the scrimmage. The impact caused his tibia, or lower leg bone to snap and bend at a 90 degree angle. This could have potentially ended the 33-year old’s career. However, he made a heroic comeback in the final six games of the 2014-15 NBA season for the Indiana Pacers and has not looked back since.

Klay Thompson has also suffered a similar fate, when he tore his ACL in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals. He was ruled out of the next two seasons due to another injury sustained while recovering from the ACL tear. However, he too made a comeback in 2022, also winning the championship with the Warriors in the same season.

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Despite potential career-ending injuries, both the superstars not only bounced back from their injuries but also made extraordinary careers for themselves. Naturally, both the players have nothing but respect for each other.