Thunder's Paul George prepares to face former team
Paul George
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (13) shoots over New York Knicks guards Tim Hardaway Jr. (3) and Courtney Lee (5) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City  Thursday  Oct. 19  2017. Oklahoma City won 105-84. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (Photo: The Associated Press)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Just four games into the season   Paul George  has to face the team  he  just left under less than ideal circumstances.
During the offseason   George 's camp let it be known  he  planned to become a free agent after next season. The disappointed Pacers opted to trade the face of their franchise to Oklahoma City rather than play a season with a star they had no long-term future with and perhaps get nothing in return.
With the Pacers   George  was a four-time All-Star and helped Indiana reach the Eastern Conference Finals twice. The Thunder host the Pacers on Wednesday night.
"It'll be emotional from a standpoint of it's an organization that I started with  had a wonderful journey with  that I had seven unbelievable years with "  George  said.
 George  was especially close to Larry Bird  who was team president when the Pacers made  him  the 10th pick in the 2010 draft.  George  said  he  appreciated the time  he  spent with Bird  who has stepped down as president but remains with the franchise as a consultant.
" His  stories   his  knowledge of the game  talking with  him  through playoff battles and  his  understanding "  George  said. " He 's a legend. Hall of Fame player  Hall of Fame across the whole board — executive  coach. It meant a lot as a young player coming into this league. I was grateful to have that time talking to  him  and sharing conversations."
New Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony had to face his old team  the New York Knicks  in the season opener. He said he spoke with  George  during the preseason about facing their former teams so soon.
"If I sit here and say  he 's not excited about that game tomorrow  I'd be lying to you " Anthony said.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said he expects  George  to handle the situation well.
"I'm sure that there's things  he 's going through  but  he 's a pro " Donovan said. " He 'll handle things how  he  sees fit to handle them. I think  he 'll be fine."
 George 's adjustment has been a mixed bag so far.  He 's averaging 21.3 points  but  he 's shooting just 37 percent from the field.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George (13) shoots over New York Knicks guards Tim Hardaway Jr. (3) and Courtney Lee (5) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City  Thursday  Oct. 19  2017. Oklahoma City won 105-84. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (Photo: The Associated Press)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Just four games into the season   [TGT]has to face the team  [TGT]  just left under less than ideal circumstances.
During the offseason   [TGT] 's camp let it be known  [TGT]  planned to become a free agent after next season. The disappointed Pacers opted to trade the face of their franchise to Oklahoma City rather than play a season with a star they had no long-term future with and perhaps get nothing in return.
With [TGT]was a four-time All-Star and helped Indiana reach the Eastern Conference Finals twice. The Thunder host the Pacers on Wednesday night.
"It'll be emotional from a standpoint of it's an organization that I started with  had a wonderful journey with  that I had seven unbelievable years with "  [TGT]said.
 [TGT]was especially close to Larry Bird  who was team president when the Pacers made  [TGT]  the 10th pick in the 2010 draft.  [TGT]said  [TGT]  appreciated the time  [TGT]  spent with Bird  who has stepped down as president but remains with the franchise as a consultant.
" [TGT]  stories   [TGT]  knowledge of the game  talking with  [TGT]  through playoff battles and  [TGT]  understanding [TGT]said. " [TGT] 's a legend. Hall of Fame player  Hall of Fame across the whole board — executive  coach. It meant a lot as a young player coming into this league. I was grateful to have that time talking to  [TGT]  and sharing conversations."
New Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony had to face his old team  the New York Knicks  in the season opener. He said he spoke with  [TGT]during the preseason about facing their former teams so soon.
"If I sit here and say  he 's not excited about that game tomorrow  I'd be lying to you " Anthony said.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said he expects  [TGT]to handle the situation well.
"I'm sure that there's things  he 's going through  but  he 's a pro " Donovan said. " He 'll handle things how  he  sees fit to handle them. I think  he 'll be fine."
 George 's adjustment has been a mixed bag so far.  He 's averaging 21.3 points  but  he 's shooting just 37 percent from the field.