Paul George did the once unthinkable. George stayed in Oklahoma City, and stayed with Russell Westbrook.
I will never forget where I was when it was finally announced that Paul George would return to the Oklahoma City Thunder. I was sitting at my desk, at 11 p.m. watching ESPN’s The Jump Free Agency special with TweetDeck wide open. Every NBA related column imaginable open.
There were leaks and rumors throughout the day of a huge Russell Westbrook house party, and even George’s barber in Oklahoma City said in the afternoon he was returning the Thunder but no one truly believed him at the time.
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Can you blame the fans? A fanbase that has lost a few stars one way or another and now an unverified source is breaking the news hours early?
However, he was right. Paul George re-signed and attended the house party thrown by Russell Westbrook. The two smoked cigars enjoyed music and even went on stage to make sure the select fans who were there understood the news.
When Paul George exclaimed “Oklahoma!” on that stage, it seemed like for once the franchise was on solid ground. Paul George inked a three plus one contract and would be in Loud City for the foreseeable future.
Instead, a year later, he demanded a trade.
Still, though, the re-signing of George proved to be a huge part of the Thunder’s history and George’s legacy in Oklahoma City.