OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Paul George is back, and so are the high hopes be brought when he joined the Thunder.
Oklahoma City acquired George last year in the deal that sent rising star Victor Oladipo to the Indiana Pacers. It was thought by many that Oklahoma might be just a detour on Georges road home to Los Angeles to play for the Lakers. Instead, Russell Westbrook and the Thunder made a winning sales pitch. George, an All-Star and one of the leagues best two-way players, shocked many by staying instead of leaving in free agency.
I just developed these really good relationships here, almost feeling like Ive been here for a while, George said. And then just over the course of the whole season, it just steamrolled, just got better and better, and here I am.
Georges return is fueling hopes that Oklahoma City can improve on a disappointing, inconsistent season that ended with a first-round playoff exit.
I just think we worked through a lot in one year, and people expected us to be a lot further along, George said. But honestly, thats the reason why Im here for year two. I knew it wasnt going to be something that happened in one year being with this group. Youve got to build certain habits, and thats the habits were hoping that we build, is that consistency.
The Thunder traded Carmelo Anthony during the summer in a deal that brought guard Dennis Schroder from the Atlanta Hawks. Schroder, who averaged 19.4 points and 6.2 assists last season, has been dynamic during the preseason.
Obviously Dennis is a great player, Westbrook said. Done a lot of great things in Atlanta. Plays fast, plays with pace, good with the basketball, and I think its going to open up a lot of different things for him and myself when were on the floor together, so looking forward to it.
ROBERSONS KNEE
Thunder guard Andre Roberson, one of the leagues top perimeter defenders, will be out for at least two months following a procedure as he recovers from the torn left patellar tendon that cost him the second half of last season. Oklahoma Citys defense suffered without him last season, but Schroder could make up for his absence with his athleticism and scoring prowess.
MISSING MELO
George acknowledged that things didnt go as planned with Anthony, who struggled at times last season. Anthony is now with Houston, and Oklahoma City has become younger and faster.
We miss Melo here as a teammate, as a brother, but if something doesnt work, it doesnt work, George said. Its nothing that he did, its nothing that the organization did, nothing that the coaches did. If something doesnt work, it just doesnt work, and thats fine. Weve got to be able to move on from that, and hes in a better situation for him, and weve got to move on and get prepared as a team.
JUMPING JERAMI
The Thunder also kept versatile, ultra-athletic forward Jerami Grant. He can play the forward spots and even center if the Thunder choose to go small. George considers Grant a key piece to Oklahoma Citys puzzle.
J.G. is one of those special players I think that you need on a team to make a team special. Every team needs that one guy that can do a little bit of everything, and J.G. is that guy, George said. You can plug J.G. in at any spot, and hes going to come out with some special plays for us.
