Indiana Pacers star Paul George believes the broken leg he suffered last year may have helped him in the long run.

Before he suffered one of the worst injuries in recent memory, George was a two-time All-Star and franchise player on a play-off team.

Now, nearly 16 months on, George is back to full strength and believes the injury was a positive.

"I feel like I’m better. I think a year away from the game, you learn, you grow, regardless if I was on the court or not," George said, via the Washington Post.

"You just get a chance to really observe and be a student of the game, at that point when you’re sitting out.

"So I think that was the little bit that I needed, the push that I needed. I worked hard that summer going into the season.

"Granted I got hurt, but I feel like that year away was what I needed to just learn."

George, 25, broke his leg with Team USA in 2014 when he came down awkwardly on a lay-up attempt. 

He was able to return ahead of schedule last season and is currently in peak form, averaging 24.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists entering Tuesday's game against the Washington Wizards.

"I see things differently [now]," George said.

"I let things kind of play itself out. Been very patient. And just a better shooter. That was the only thing I could do at a point, was to shoot the basketball. So I think I got better at my shooting."