If there was a Mount Rushmore of the most loyal people on the planet, Russell Westbrook would most definitely be on it. Paul George seems to like that about his point guard.
Paul George was recently snubbed from an All-Star appearance for reasons unknown. He leads the NBA in steals per game and is scoring over 20 points per game as well. Certainly, there was an adjustment period playing with an MVP and one of the best scorers of this generation, but it seems he’s found his rhythm.
His teammate Russell Westbrook did make the All-Star team, but when Westbrook found out that George didn’t make it he wasn’t too happy about it.
Westbrook was open about the fact he didn’t care for the voting, and George took note of that.
George is an impending free agent at the end of the season, and he has to decide whether to return to Oklahoma City or take his talents elsewhere. The first place that comes to mind if he were to leave is obviously Los Angeles to play for the Lakers. But seeing as they may not be as close to the playoffs as one might think, maybe staying put is what’s best for George.
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There’s is nothing in the game of basketball more important to Westbrook than winning, and as we all know he will do pretty much whatever it takes to win. Some say it drove Kevin Durant away, but that fire has seemingly grown on George.
I’m certain that this isn’t George setting it in stone that he’s returning to Oklahoma City, but this is a good sign for a really good team. They’ve already beaten Golden State and Houston, and could pose as viable threats to both teams. The Thunder’s chances of retaining George obviously go up if they make a deep run in the playoffs, and George has already said before that if the Thunder show they’re going to win — which they most likely are — then he’d be stupid to leave.
Take it with a grain of salt, but George’s statements bode well for this summer.