The Boston Celtics just pulled off a blockbuster, sending franchise legend Jaylen Brown to historic rivals, the Philadelphia 76ers. What a move, right? In return, Boston is bringing in a likely future Hall of Famer, Paul George, alongside a slew of draft picks. PG is officially a Celtic, and the chatter is already insane. This isn’t just another trade; it feels like a blueprint for something special.
The Al Horford Effect: A Playbook for Paul George
Paul George arriving in Boston for his age-36 season immediately brings another future Hall of Famer to mind: Al Horford. Remember his second arrival in Boston back in 2021? Horford was 35 then, and that move was Brad Stevens’ first big swing as president of basketball operations. It totally foreshadowed Stevens’ brilliance as an executive, because Horford’s second act with the Celtics, from 2021 to 2025, was legendary. That dude was an absolute playoff cheat code. He could switch one through five on defense, protect the rim like a beast, stretch the floor with his shot, and was an elite connector for that team. Now, there’s a real chance PG becomes this era’s version of Horford, a wing player whose elite shooting and defense could perfectly complement this current Celtics roster. Imagine that blend!
Navigating the Hurdles: Health and Role
Of course, for George to truly hit those lofty heights of Horford’s dominant Celtics stint, there are a couple of obvious hurdles. The first is, no surprise, health. Over the last five seasons, George has averaged just 48 regular-season games. That’s a concern for any fan. But here’s the kicker: PG has played in an astounding 125 of 131 possible career playoff games. Five were missed in 2023 due to injury, and one in 2022 from COVID safety protocols. When it truly matters, George has been there.
The second barrier is his potential role compared to Horford’s. Horford was unfairly burdened with the fate of the Celtics’ frontcourt. Rob Williams’ knees gave out, Porzingis only gave the team two and a half healthy playoff games, Luke Kornet was just a regular-season minutes eater, and Neemias Queta wasn’t ready. The center job was Horford’s to hold down, pure and simple. George won’t face that kind of pressure. The 2026-2027 Celtics are overflowing with young, athletic, rangy wing depth. This should keep PG fresh throughout the season, allowing him to actualize his destiny as a 2022 Al Horford.
This isn’t just a hopeful thought; it’s the plan. If George can tap into that “playoff cheat code” energy, the league will have a serious problem on its hands. Get ready for a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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