Paul George cites winning as benchmark for OKC Thunder to keep him in 2018

Sports Illustrated writer Lee Jenkins interviewed Paul George and got the super stars first comments about his new team and hints of what’s on the horizon.

From the moment Paul George told the Pacers he would not re-sign he’s been the focus of copious articles speculating on his eventual landing spot. Based on George’s own comments most presumed it was an inevitability he would sport Lakers purple and gold whether this season or next.

Still, upper echelon teams made known their desire to land the All-Star. Rumors surfaced the Cavaliers, Celtics, Rockets and yes -Lakers would pursue him as early as this season. Other analysts felt Indiana would wait until closer to the 2018 trade deadline before flipping the switch.

Sam Presti pulls the offseason theft of Paul George

It turned out everyone was wrong and Sam Presti pulled off the theft of the season. Sure, the move is risky, given George’s pending 2018 free agency. But let’s not forget Victor Oladipo’s is due $21 million for the next four years through the 2020-21 season. Negotiated at a time when teams were still reveling in the new TV money, in hindsight it was beyond generous. Certainly Oladipo may grow into his contract, however his continual stat regression only serves to suggest his best role would be as a sixth man. Even with the TV money $21 million is a gluttonous amount to pay a reserve player. Therefore, Presti’s move will be a win-win no matter what occurs.

Still, that would suggest Presti and the OKC Thunder brain trust are content with whatever decision Paul George makes and clearly that’s not the case. OKC’s GM didn’t just bring in George to appease Westbrook with a scoring option. Rather, he’s since gone on to add a stretch four in Patrick Patterson. Moreover, the move to sign a veteran point guard (Raymond Felton) punctuates how serious Presti and Co. are about improving and moving back among the West’s elite.

Paul George cited home town as desired location

It’s not uncommon for players to have a desire to play for their home team. Nor is it unusual for pundits to jump all over these proclamations. I’ll point you to two seasons ago when pundits openly called for DeMar DeRozan to be headed West to also play for the Lakers. Some even said it was a done deal. Leading up to free agency I engaged in multiple debates (and made silly bets with friends) DeRozan was 100% staying in Toronto. Vindication was mine when the Compton raised DeRozan didn’t even meet with another team.

George’s situation isn’t that black and white. Yet to play a single minute with the Thunder or get acquainted with OKC it’s unfair to expect him to have anything more than an open mind. But, rest assured George will fall in love with the OKC community. More importantly his own words offer reason for optimism his return is more than a minor possibility.

In Paul George’s own words

Which brings me back to the Sports Illustrated article. George details how he reached out to learn more about the city and team. Ironically two prior Thunder players (Kevin Durant and Reggie Jackson) made the biggest impressions with their glowing reviews.

George did his due diligence researching OKC

But, it’s the meat of George’s words which offer the greatest insight on George. First of all, there is the clarification on why he wanted to leave Indiana.

"“I get why people are upset. But at the same time, I want the average fan to understand that we only get a small window to play this game and more than anything you want to be able to play for a championship. I wanted to bring that to Indiana. I really did. I love Indiana. That will always be a special place for me and I’m sorry for not holding on. But I wasn’t sure we’d ever get a team together to compete for a championship and that’s where all this came from.”"

Paul George’s take on how he’ll mesh with Russell Westbrook

George also offers enthusiastic praise for what he believes the reigning MVP and he can accomplish together.

"“I’m thrilled,” George says. “All I was asking for was a little help in Indy. Now I’m getting a lot of help in Oklahoma.” He and Westbrook talked briefly on the phone that first night. “I think I fit with how he plays and vice versa,” George says. “Being a knock-down shooter, I think I can spread the floor for him and run the floor with him. But I also think I can help get him easier opportunities, being able to drive and dish the ball out, so he can attack guys closing out on him.”"

PG’s early insight on the Thunder roster

Then there is the insight of where Paul George already envisions the squad. Even after returning from his horrendous injury, George displayed his defensive chops. Albeit, he regressed slightly this season, but to be fair he was in an eerily similar situation to Westbrook needing to be all things for the Pacers to win. With the existing assets, recent roster tweaks (Patterson and re-signing Roberson) it’s clear George intends to return to his 2-way game.

"“Our defense,” George says, “is going to be insane.” Head coach Billy Donovan has already flown to Los Angeles, and during a barbecue at George’s house, discussed strategy with his new star."

Childhood fantasy’s aren’t primary driver

Lakers fans, pundits and Magic Johnson probably cringed when they read this next passage:

"“I grew up a Lakers and a Clippers fan,” George says. “I idolized Kobe. There will always be a tie here, a connection here. People saying I want to come here, who doesn’t want to play for their hometown? That’s a dream come true, if you’re a kid growing up on the outskirts of L.A., to be the man in your city. But it’s definitely been overstated.”"

Suffice to say, the Lakers are not a done deal, nor should they be. Much like his peers George is fueled by winning, and in their current iteration the Lakers are not even sniffing at a rung on that playoff ladder. It’s not to say they don’t have intriguing youthful pieces to build the core around or that Magic won’t be able to shift the desire for stars to once again flock to LA. Rather, the reality is the most the Lakers can justifiably claim is they are in a rebuilding phase.

Paul George clarifies his priorities

Finally, and most importantly George sets straight his intentions regarding his desires.

” For me, it’s all about winning. I want a shot to win it. I’m playing this game to win and build a legacy of winning. I’ve yet to do that. I’m searching for it. If we get a killer season in Oklahoma, we make the conference finals or upset the Warriors or do something crazy, I’d be dumb to want to leave that.”

"For me, it’s all about winning. I want to be in a good system, a good team. I want a shot to win it. I’m not a stats guy. I’m playing this game to win and build a legacy of winning. I’ve yet to do that. I’m searching for it. If we get a killer season in Oklahoma, we make the conference finals or upset the Warriors or do something crazy, I’d be dumb to want to leave that.”"

For those looking for positives this is about as rosy as anyone could hope for. Dig deeper into George’s statements and it offers little tidbits to get excited about. As Lee Jenkins points out the best teammates Paul George ever had included George Hill, David West and Roy Hibbert. Some might also add Lance Stephenson to the mix.

Bear me a little latitude to dissect that roster. Roy Hibbert benefited from the season of verticality, but was never what you would consider a consistently reliable big man. West was already on the downside of his prime. Hill, while a stellar reliable 2-way point guard and great glue guy was never more than a complimentary piece. And, Lance spent the better portion of the past three seasons trying to prove he still belonged on an NBA court.

More from Thunderous Intentions

Clearly, Paul George has never had a player of Westbrook’s ilk to play with outside of All-Star or International games. Arguably, he’s also never had a team with as much defensive potential as Roberson, Patterson, and Adams offer. Or perhaps what could be the perfect compliment of youthful assets (this still to be proven).

If I’m Billy Donovan, Sam Presti and every young player on the Thunder the featured Paul George quote above would be is taped in a spot that is visible daily.

Because it definitively says what it will take to retain Paul George. Granted, with the Warriors, Spurs, Rockets, as well as the vastly improved Timberwolves and Nuggets this won’t be an easy task. But, the advantage the Thunder have is time to prove to Paul George who the Thunder can be. And, the knowledge of PG wants first and foremost — winning.

Every offseason offers teams a fresh start. The opportunity to clear the slate, improve individually and renew hopes for the coming season. For the OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook and Paul George that opportunity offers greater reason for optimism than last season.

Ultimately, Paul George has handed them the key to unleash the future, now it’s a matter of making it a reality.

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