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 George's 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 league's 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 I've 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."