Anderson Silva Leg Break Recovery News Update: 'The Spider' Relates to Paul George Injury; Posts Encouraging Message

People have connected the injuries, and to them this might feel like a long time coming--Anderson Silva, the former UFC kingpin that broke his leg, reached out to the NBA's Paul George.

After George suffered a leg injury at a Team USA scrimmage Friday evening in Las Vegas, Silva--who probably is one of the right people to ask--expressed sympathy for the Indiana Pacers guard on Instagram, reports MMA Junkie.

"I had the same injury champ, I know what you are going through right now, but just stay calm and strong, you'll be back soon," said Silva, with the hashtag "#PrayForGeorge."

With a fight scheduled in January against Nick Diaz after snapping his leg during a title bout with Chris Weidman in December, Silva had an impressive recovery. George, meanwhile, was operated on Friday night in Las Vegas, and will sit out the 2014-15 NBA season for rehab, MMA Junkie notes.

George's injury has been compared to the severe injuries that felled Silva, NBA player Shaun Livingston and NCAA player Kevin Ware, among other sportsmen, The Epoch Times says.

George tried to block a shot and had an awkward landing in a Team USA game which divided a pool of 20 players to face each other, the report said. His leg hit the back of the bottom of the net, suffering what is dubbed a "freak injury" on his right leg--so eery ESPN limits its airing, and not without warning, the report adds.

The Team USA game was supposed to display the talent pool the national team galvanized for the FIBA World Cup, but it ended abruptly after the James Harden block, FanSided said. Maybe George could learn a thing or two from Silva.

The former longtime UFC middleweight champion, also known as "The Spider," showed extraordinary perseverance as he went through rehab and will return just 12 months after his injury, the report said. 

The Brazilian was checked by the American contender, prompting the tibia and fibula break, China Topix notes. He went through orthopedic surgery and had a titanium rod installed. "I've been doing a lot of physical therapy," said Silva in the report, whose comeback is highly anticipated. "It's at 95 percent and improving."

Silva's main priority right now is to walk and move his legs, China Topix adds. Saying he is not "kicking" like before, he is still among the contenders for the middleweight belt.