Year one of the Paul George era in Oklahoma City ended with a thud. The five-time All-Star bricked his way to a 2-16 shooting effort in a 96-91 Game 5 loss to Utah, sending the Thunder home in round one of the Western Conference playoffs. While Russell Westbrook gunned his way to 46 points on 43 shots, George continued a trend of Westbrook’s teammates after Kevin Durant’s departure, shrinking from the season’s biggest moments.
George chose a chance at redemption in July, eschewing LeBron’s Lakers for four more years in Oklahoma City. The Thunder bet on a George-Westbrook romance and won.