George 'enjoyed' boos from snubbed Lakers fans

When five-time All-Star - and California native - Paul George opted to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder shortly after free agency began last summer, basketball fans in Southern California were left angry that a local-born star would resist the siren's call of joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

So, with the Thunder facing the Lakers at Staples Center for the first time since George chose to keep his talents in the Sooner State, the local faithful showered the 28-year-old with boos during pregame introductions and whenever he touched the ball. To his credit, George took the response in stride.

"It was fun, it was fun," he said of the taunts following the Thunder's 107-100 win over the LeBron James-less Lakers on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Royce Young.

"I look forward to the second time, later this season, where I'll be booed, and that's in the Midwest (OKC's March 16 game in Indiana versus George's former team, the Pacers). It was fun. I enjoyed it regardless. The booing wasn't going to throw me off my game. I've been playing basketball for a really long time and a little booing and a little noise is not going to make me forget how to play basketball."

George, who inked four-year, $137-million deal to stay in OKC, finished Wednesday's contest with 37 points on 15-of-29 shooting.

"I'm not the only SoCal kid from this area that didn't play here," he added of the Lakers. "But I took it with respect. This is an unbelievable organization. (I have) the utmost respect for everybody in their (front) office, for this city. You know, I'm a SoCal native. It's always love here, regardless of the boos tonight. I mean, it is what it is. I came out here, I played my heart out, and I just have fun with it."