Paul George understands the situation perfectly.
He recognizes that Celtics fans weren’t thrilled about his arrival. It’s not personal; he was simply the big-name player who came to Boston after Celtics president Brad Stevens traded away the much-loved Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia. That move, which Stevens said was driven by financial constraints related to the tax apron, left many Celtics fans disappointed. Just a week earlier, fans hoped the Celtics were in contention for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but a few weeks later, the player who placed sixth in last season’s MVP voting was gone, replaced by the 36-year-old George.
“Look, I get the circumstances. I know how important J.B. was, not just to the team but to the city,” George said about the initial reaction from fans. “So, honestly, I didn’t take it personally… It’s fair, but I just have to keep moving forward. Hopefully, with how we start the season, fans will see this as a fresh team they can support.”
George, who played only 78 games over two seasons in Philadelphia due to injuries and a suspension, feels like he has “turned a corner” and is physically ready again.
He also acknowledges that he’s not the team’s primary star—Jayson Tatum holds that role as he comes back from his own injury.
“We have a superstar, and that’s J.T.,” George said. “I’m not here to steal the spotlight or change who I am… I’m here to support J.T. I played alongside another superstar wing (Kawhi Leonard with the Clippers), and we worked well together. I see the same dynamic with J.T., playing off him and helping him.”
If he stays healthy, George offers Boston a smart, defensive-minded player who can score and command respect on the court. Though he may not be at his very best, George is still a nine-time All-Star and four-time All-Defensive team selection.
George and fellow veteran Mike Conley, also new to Boston, both praised the Celtics’ winning culture and expressed their desire to be part of it. Neither has won a championship yet, and that goal is a key reason they wanted to join the team.
George understands if Celtics fans need some time and evidence to embrace the new roster—otherwise, they might just analyze coach Joe Mazzulla’s facial expressions in press conferences instead. He also knows staying healthy and on the floor is critical, telling NBC Sports Boston it would be “unacceptable” personally not to play at least 50 to 60 games in a season.
While the Celtics have promising young players like Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Ron Harper Jr., and recently drafted Chris Cenac Jr., the team’s success in the East will largely depend on George regaining much of his previous form.
Though it’s only a September press conference and many things can change once the games begin, George at least understands the challenge.
“I’m all in and ready to do my part to help lead this group back to where everyone here hopes to be,” George said.
That’s really all you can ask for.
Fan Take: This matters because Paul George’s commitment signals that the Celtics are serious about being contenders again, even after losing a fan-favorite to a rival. If George stays healthy and plays up to his potential, it could reshape the Eastern Conference balance and add an exciting new chapter to NBA rivalries.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
