Paul George put up 38 points and five steals in his Boston Celtics debut against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Seriously, that’s a monster line for anyone, especially after the two seasons he just had. But man, even with George absolutely cooking, the Celtics still managed to blow a ridiculous 22-point lead and take the L.
PG-13 Is Back, Baby?
Can we talk about Paul George for a second? After two years that felt like forever with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he just couldn’t stay on the floor, dude looked like the star we all remember. He only played 41 games his first year with the Sixers, then just 37 games last season, so consistency was a huge issue. You gotta wonder if he ever even got into a rhythm with those guys. But against the Pistons? He was feeling it, big time.
George himself admitted that training camp was “rough” for him, even saying his “legs were just heavy” and he “was winded a lot of times.” He felt “sluggish,” which apparently took away from his game. But he also said he’s “getting his wind back,” “getting his legs back,” and even “getting his pop back.” That’s a huge quote right there! He’s clearly feeling the difference. The guy said “it’s hard to know until the lights come on,” and when they did, he definitely showed up. He brought the energy, the scoring, and the defense. It was a hell of a positive start for him personally in Boston.
That 22-Point Collapse Is The Problem
Here’s the rub though: none of George’s incredible individual effort could save the Celtics from themselves. They absolutely cratered, blowing a 22-point lead. Ouch. George wasn’t mincing words either. He told reporters, “I’m not a moral victory guy. It means nothing.” And he’s right! You can’t put up those kinds of numbers, feel like your game is returning, and still lose a game you had firmly in hand. It just doesn’t fly.
This isn’t some exhibition game. This is regular season, and right now, it looks like the Celtics have some serious figuring out to do. If even a 38-point, 5-steal performance from a guy who’s supposedly getting his “pop back” isn’t enough to seal a win from a 22-point advantage, what exactly *is*? They need to lock in. Fast.
So, yeah, Paul George’s debut was a personal highlight reel, a clear sign he’s shaking off those Philly seasons. But that blown lead? That’s the part that’s gonna stick in everyone’s craw. The question now is: can the Celtics actually get their act together and make George’s incredible performances count for something more than just personal stats? They better, because nobody wants to see that kind of talent go to waste.
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.
Leave a Reply