Paul George finally faced the music on Tuesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since that blockbuster trade sent him from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Boston Celtics. And yeah, he knows exactly how you feel about Jaylen Brown leaving town. Despite the Celtics landing a nine-time All-Star like George, fans were seriously underwhelmed with the return for Brown, who absolutely endeared himself to the city. George told everyone he gets it, and he’s not taking the backlash personally.
PG Gets Why You’re Upset, But He’s Here to Win
George didn’t mince words about the fan reaction, saying, “I understand the circumstances. I understand how huge JB was not only for the organization but also here in the city.” He added, “So I didn’t take [the reaction] personally. [Fans] should have a relationship personally to the trade.” That’s real talk from a guy walking into a tough spot. George, 36, is clear on his role: he’s here to be a leader, but not to steal the spotlight. “Bring a veteran stance. Leadership… Just be a great co-partner to JT,” he stated. He continued, “We have a superstar and that’s JT. I’m not here to necessarily steal the shine or try to reinvent who I am. I’m here to help JT, and he’s the guy. I’ve played alongside another superstar wing, and we coexisted beautifully.” You gotta respect that humility, especially from a player of his caliber. He’s admired Boston for a long time, too, which is a nice touch.
The Injury Comeback and Boston’s New Look
Let’s be real: George’s last two seasons with the Sixers were rough. He played in a combined 78 games, and his scoring average dipped below 20 points, a first since his 2014-15 injury-shortened season. But he’s adamant he’s back. “I feel great again. I feel like I’ve turned a corner of dealing with injuries, and now kind of reestablishing myself and from a physical standpoint again,” he said. He owned up to it, too: “The past couple years have been rough from a physical standpoint. … I feel great physically. My body naturally has just healed.” The Celtics didn’t stop there, bringing in veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. and signing center Mitchell Robinson, who defected from the 2026 NBA champion New York Knicks on a three-year deal. Team president Brad Stevens is hyped, saying of George and Conley, “You can feel their presence in the building.” Stevens is clearly pumped about the moves, stating, “I really like this group. I think this group is going to be good.”
It all kicks off for George and the new-look Celtics on October 20th when they face the Detroit Pistons. Get ready, because the season is about to get real.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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