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FIBA World Cup Coach Krzyzewski Has Connection To 2 Gruesome Player Injuries

DETROIT (WWJ) - With the disturbing image of Paul George's awkward fall fresh in the mind's eye - it must seem like deja vu all over again for Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Krzyzewski has been on the floor in connection with two horrific basketball injuries in as many years.

Team USA Showcase
Paul George #29 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team is tended to as he lies on the court after badly injuring his leg defending a play during a USA Basketball showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 1, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The rest of the exhibition was cancelled after the injury. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Most have witnessed, through the lens of  television, George taken off the court mid-scrimmage with Team USA as they prepare for FIBA World Cup Basketball in Spain at the end of the month.

In a bizarre, injury laden twist, Krzyzewski was coaching Duke during the 2013 NCAA regional final game against Louisville as Kevin Ware went down --- in what agonizingly looked as if he had split his leg in half -- an injury that essentially ended Ware's tenure at Louisville.

Duke v Louisville
Kevin Ware #5 of the Louisville Cardinals is tended to by medical personnel after he injured his leg in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the Midwest Regional Final round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 31, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

And it's certainly looking as if George will miss the entire season with the Indiana Pacers -- as for Team USA's reaction:

Krzyzewski says the injury to George will only serve as more motivation for the team:

"The reaction from the players on the team - they are anxious to get going and they fell badly, obviously very badly about Paul ... he's part of our group," Krzyzewski said. "He's part of our brotherhood, and I don't think there will be a lack of motivation."

The teams roster was just trimmed the team down to 16 which includes the Pistons' Andre Drummond and while the final 12 man roster will be made at the end of their final camp in Chicago - which begins August 14.

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