Fans come in droves for George
Paul George was treated to deafening chants after arriving at Will Rogers World Airport on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
“PG! OKC!” was repeated as George walked over to greet hundreds fans upon landing. It didn’t matter that the temperature was nearing 100 degrees. Fans packed together like sardines to welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder’s biggest offseason addition.
Fans, like Linda Nichols of Oklahoma City, will be happy to see reigning MVP Russell Westbrook team up with another superstar.
“Just tickled to death to see my guy get some help,” Nichols said of Westbrook. “He’s (George) coming to OKC and knowing that he’s embracing us. I think he’s gonna be staying here. I’m not believing any of the hype about him being one-and-done.”
George was traded from Indiana to the Thunder on June 30 in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The trade was widely regarded as a coup for OKC, though it appeared chances of George staying longer than a season were slim. Multiple reports have indicated he has a desire to play for the Lakers in his hometown Los Angeles.
However, in a Sports Illustrated article on
Tuesday, George was quoted saying a successful season in OKC might convince him to stay. The article also said he reached out to Kevin Durant, who vouched for the Thunder and told George the organization would, “blow (him) away.”
Still sour from Durant’s departure last offseason, fans at the airport were a little reluctant to give him credit.
“If it’s true, I guess we can thank him a little bit,” Edmond resident Jon Wilson said. “Other than that, I don’t really have much comment on him.”
Fans might not be willing to thank Durant for what he said, but they will have the opportunity to prove him right. By showing George extra love for the year he is with the team, fans said they are hopeful they can convince him to stick around. It started Tuesday at the airport, but will continue all season.
“That’s what we’re all about anyway,” Wilson said. “We pack the place for every game. We’re a family atmosphere and a tight-knit group. It’s a smaller market, but at the same time, we’re there every night. (We want) to show that to him and obviously Russ, too, and try to keep them together and push the organization forward and get to the top.”