Paul George had zero control over his destiny this offseason, for real. His unforeseen move from Philadelphia to Boston, after the Celtics started shopping Jaylen Brown, was “a bit surprising” even for George himself when he first heard the news. The blockbuster trade officially went down on July 1, with the Celtics and Sixers shaking hands, and the 36-year-old’s entire situation changed dramatically. Despite the surprise, George is openly admitting he understood the circumstances of the trade from the jump.
No Control, No Hard Feelings
When George heard he was heading to the Celtics, he didn’t take it personally, not one bit. He told reporters Tuesday at the Auerbach Center, according to NBC Sports Boston, that an emotional relationship to that specific trade from the fans is completely fair. He gets it. But for him, his job here is all about stepping into a “great opportunity.” It’s not about what went down in Philly, playing behind guys like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey; he’s just focused on the fresh start and what he can bring to the table in Boston.
The $54.1 Million Burden for Tatum’s New Running Mate
And make no mistake, this isn’t just any fresh start. George is now carrying a massive burden, the one left squarely by Jaylen Brown’s exit. He isn’t playing third fiddle anymore; the responsibility now awaits him at his TD Garden locker. As the second-highest-paid Celtic on the roster, pulling in a cool $54.1 million, George is under immense pressure to begin harkening back to the impactful presence he once was. He’s stepping in as Jayson Tatum’s new running mate, and the expectations couldn’t be higher. He reiterated there are “no personal feelings towards the initial , how it [was] received here in Boston.” To be honest, he says, “it’s fair.” It’s about putting “one foot in front of the other” and proving it on the court, plain and simple.
Remember That Playoff Revival Against Boston?
The good news is, we’ve seen Paul George step up when it truly counts, especially against the Celtics. Remember last season? George spent the greater bulk of it battling a left knee hyperextension which required surgery and sidelined him for a staggering 41 games. But then, he rejoined the Sixers just in time for their first-round playoff series against Boston. And what a return it was! He delivered a performance that factored significantly into Boston squandering its 3-1 series lead. During that postseason revival series versus the Celtics, George averaged 17.4 points, four rebounds, and three assists while converting an insane 55 percent of his three-point attempts. George even said with a smile, looking toward a “stone-faced Mazzulla,” that he felt like he “was able to do things and, quite frankly, it might’ve caught Boston off guard from an expectation that I could no longer move.” That showing offers a real avenue for optimism for Boston as they approach a season desperate for positivity.
The reality for Boston is those bright green-colored glasses their front office handed to fans three offseasons ago have gotten pretty dull. George is fully cognizant of the city-wide reception to this whole situation. But he’s hoping that with how the team starts this year, fans will “understand this is a new team and something they can be proud of.” The pressure is absolutely on for Paul George to deliver and help turn those dull glasses bright again.
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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