The fans of the Los Angeles Lakers made their desire to steal Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George very clear after cheers of “We want Paul” erupted throughout Staples Center on Thursday night. However, Oklahoma City was sure to give their response in the Thunder's first game back at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Needless to say, it did not take fans long to give their rebuttal after they broke out in a chant saying”We love Paul” per Jordann Lucero of OKC Fox:

Unlike the Lakers' chant, George fully acknowledged that he heard the cheers, according to ESPN's Royce Young.

Paul George on if he heard Thunder fans chanting as he shot free throws: “I loved it every bit. It’s why I was trying to get to the line.”

George played coy on whether he heard the cheers coming from Lakers fans likely in an attempt to tone down the rumors of him going to Los Angeles in free agency. However, he did not feel the need to do the same this time around with his home fans. That said, it seems he is all in on the prospect of playing for the Thunder for the time being and for good reason.

Not only did George garner his fifth All-Star selection, but Oklahoma City has started to click this season as they currently sit in the fifth spot of the Western Conference. However, it is clear that the Lakers will be sitting idly by hoping for the Thunder Big 3 experiment to fail.