Oklahoma City mayor David Holt declared Saturday, July 7, 2018, to be 'Paul George Day' in Oklahoma City. On July 6, 2019, the OKC fan-favorite announced he is leaving the team to join Kawhi Leonard on the Clippers.
It’s now official - Paul George is here to stay. In recognition of PG13’s commitment to our city & in anticipation of the journey ahead, I am declaring Saturday, July 7th to be PAUL GEORGE DAY in Oklahoma City. #ThunderUp #PG13 #1OKC pic.twitter.com/laZyKR4eE2
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) July 6, 2018
"Paul George Day" was given life after the forward re-signed with OKC last year, with the mayor stating in his tweet, "Paul George is here to stay." Well, stay for a year, that is.
Mayor David Holt joined in the conversation after his tweet re-surfaced on Saturday, saying players change teams and "it is what it is."
Holt noted what PG13 did on and off the court for Oklahoma City, saying in a tweet, "As a person, PG was good to OKC (most notably, his generosity with the youth of our community)."
First things first... I suppose we all have to get used to the NBA reality that stars are free agents even when they’re not. It is what it is.
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) July 6, 2019
As a person, PG was good to OKC (most notably, his generosity with the youth of our community). (1/3)
For Holt and other OKC fans, their focus is to remember the good times and move on.
Being a fan is nothing but a collection of memories, and as a player, PG gave us some great ones (47 pts against Brooklyn, the Utah 25-pt playoff comeback, the Philly 4-pt play all come to mind). My inclination right now is to wish him well & move on. (2/3)
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) July 6, 2019
The Oklahoma Mayor concludes his statement by emphasizing his Thunder fandom and looking into the future for what PG might symbolize for the Thunder.
The team obviously moves into a new chapter, & PG may ultimately be our Herschel Walker (https://t.co/cBYJxRO5H7). In the meantime, I’m Thunder till I die & you cannot pummel out of me the gratitude I will always have that OKC gets to be a part of this wild ride. (3/3) #ThunderUp
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) July 6, 2019
NBA Twitter, known for their iconic memes and reactions, immediately started making jokes about what it will be like in Oklahoma City on the second annual 'Paul George Day'.
Can’t wait to see the festivities in OKC tomorrow for Paul George day https://t.co/wpBfjYY7r3 pic.twitter.com/ZqXKzAKbeW
— BlueKrew (@Krush59) July 6, 2019
Paul George Day is going to be lit tomorrow in OKC https://t.co/ZiQDA0oOV6
— Andrew Salciunas (@asalciunas975) July 6, 2019
NBA fans are wondering if the festivities are still on, despite the recent news.
We still on for tmoz or nah?
— niles (@tyhrblue) July 6, 2019
Do you think they still plan on celebrating Paul George Day in OKC tomorrow? 🤔 https://t.co/JRMjZPECRp
— Seattle SuperSonics (@BringBackSonics) July 6, 2019
Some are pointing out that Paul George Day was a 2018 celebration only, and there was never a plan to celebrate this year, but what fun is that?
Seen a lot of folks sharing this, but tomorrow isn’t Paul George Day in OKC. That was a one-time thing last year. July 7, 2018 was Paul George Day; July 7, 2019 is Sunday (and Russell Westbrook Day still). https://t.co/7ZMh91y0Ph
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) July 6, 2019
The Oklahoma City mayor thanked those who chimed in reminding basketball fans that 'Paul George Day' is not on July 7, 2019, and had to explain what the definition of an honorary day is to many.
Thank you, Damon Lane. https://t.co/UzCyVhYP3C
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) July 6, 2019
Honorary days are always one-time-only events. PG’s was 7/7/18. That was a good day and it served its purpose. But it doesn’t continue on annually. That’s not how honorary days work. Onward! https://t.co/jC5ZhS3vbO
— Mayor David Holt (@davidfholt) July 6, 2019
Looks like it's Clippers fans who will be celebrating 'Paul George Day' this year.