It’s now much deeper than being recognized simply as one of the league’s best players. It’s more meaningful than being one of the league’s most popular young stars. Being an All-Star for Paul George is about recapturing the greatness that a freak injury in August 2014 threatened to steal from him. It’s about the rewards of perseverance, hard work and a little bit of good luck. Refusing to give in to fear and of moments self-doubt, George enters his third career All-Star Game with a newfound respect and perspective of his career, understanding better than most that things can change at any moment.

“I’m very grateful and excited,” George said. “Coming from the injury and the road I had to take to get here, it’s a surreal moment. This one is very special.”

George has made his surreal moment possible by simplifying his healing process. It wasn’t about starting in the All-Star Game or even being the player he was before the injury, at least not initially. The process for George was about setting small goals, rebuilding his confidence and learning the limitations of his body. The small victories and building on them en route to the bigger picture was his roadmap back to being elite.

“I had to take baby steps,” he said. “When you’re coming back from an injury you have to set goals you can reach. Once you reach one goal you set higher goal. You can’t come back from injury and expect to be at an All-Star level right away. There are steps you need to take to get there, for me that was key. Everyone that was around me kept the expectations realistic it was then up to me to accomplish those.”

The process started almost immediately for George, but really hit home during All-Star weekend in New York last season. In what would have been his third consecutive All-Star game, George was forced to watch his contemporaries enjoy the weekend and prepare for the game he wanted to be a part of. It bothered him so much he actually left the city before the game and decided against watching the next day.

“It was really hard last year,” George said. “I only came for Friday and Saturday and left on Sunday didn’t watch the game. It didn’t feel right being there and not being a part of the game.”

Something else happened in New York last season. Seeing how the game continued on without him had a profound impact. It made everything clear and offered the type of perspective that most athletes don’t have the benefit of understanding until it’s too late. George understands he makes the league better and with him in the game you may hear a few more cheers. He also understands, however, that the show will go on without him and there is always someone behind you waiting to take your spot. Understanding that reality at 25 makes George different than most.

“As fast as my rise was, the game was taken away from me just as fast,” George said. “I could have easily messed a ligament up of tore something so I was grateful that it was just a bone that broke, again, I’m just grateful. Whether I was an All-Star or not I would have been happy to just return to the game and do what I love to do. I don’t take moments like this for granted. I’m very blessed to be able to do what I love to do and have a second chance.”

As of now he’s making the most of his second chance, averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game, as well as increase in assists (4.0) and rebounds (7.1). The Pacers are also winning, currently 28-25 and look to be headed to the playoffs. It doesn’t stop here for George, however, he’ll cross the success he’s enjoyed off his list and continue to build on the small victories, especially the last on his list; being an All-Star again.

“Yeah this is definitely a milestone,” he said. “This is something to check off the list. It's kind of like a gauge to see where I'm at and how far I've come along.”