Paul George sharing early ownership of Thunder
Paul George still is settling in, still is learning his team and his city.
The Thunder forward is finding his fishing spots in Oklahoma City and learning Billy Donovan’s coaching terminology and getting comfortable with a new set of teammates.
But already, he’s putting down roots on his new roster and a stamp on his new situation.
That’s why George – still an OKC shorttimer – was so comfortable making a pitch for Carmelo Anthony to waive his no-trade clause and accept a move to the Thunder. It’s why he was politicking for Dwyane Wade to get in on the fun before Wade chose to sign with Cleveland.
“I mean, I am a Thunder. I’m a Thunder,” George said Wednesday. “My job is to make this team as good as possible, elevate this team as much as possible. Whatever I can do I will do, and that’s whether I’m on the court or off the court. My job is to try to make things happen.”
That ownership doesn’t come overnight. But for George, it’s come in short order.
The Thunder remains Russell Westbrook’s team. The NBA’s reigning MVP is a nine-year veteran of Oklahoma City, its undisputed franchise player.
But George is a superstar in his own right, one of the league’s best players, with seven years, four All-Star Games and two Eastern Conference
Finals to his name.
And though he’s only been with the franchise since a June 30 trade with the Indiana Pacers – and only in Oklahoma City since late in the offseason – his presence is an important addition to this edition of the Thunder.
“He’s learning a new team, new culture, new environment, new situations,” Donovan said. “The fact of the matter is he has a lot of experience under his belt from
where he’s been in his career that I think he can bring to help our team, to help guys in the locker room and help different players in terms of what they may be dealing with. There’s no question, his experience and his voice will be important.”
George said on Wednesday that he’s “here to help with shouldering” a load that last season fell largely on Westbrook, who was by a wide margin the Thunder’s
best player and most vocal leader. His historic season resulted in 47 wins, but an early playoff exit against the Houston Rockets.
“Honestly, in this league, it’s hard to do it alone,” George said at Thunder media day on Monday. “You know, Russ averages a tripledouble (last season) and he couldn’t get out of the first round.”
So George is here to help with whatever Westbrook needs.
What he brings on the court – as one of the league’s best perimeter scorers and defenders – is apparent.
“He affects the game in a lot of great ways,” Donovan said. “He can do it by moving and cutting. He can do it in pick and roll coming off screens, he can do it in transitions. He’s got good vision. He’s unselfish. He plays the right way.”
But even before the games start, George has played a part – in pursuing Anthony, in helping build a camaraderie in the opening days of camp.
In part, he’s able to take on that role because Westbrook has allowed it, has welcomed it.
“Russ has opened his arms completely to where myself, Melo feel very comfortable,” George said. “It’s not our job to try to outshine one another. We’re gonna do this thing, we got to do it together.”