Paul George has played a combined total of just 78 games over his last two seasons in Philadelphia. Let that sink in for a second. His availability has been a huge question mark for years, enduring more injury-riddled offseasons than healthy ones, only getting more than 56 regular-season games once since 2019. But now, sitting at the Auerbach Center podium, George just dropped a bomb: he feels great again.
A New Lease on Health: ‘I Feel Great Again’
George, at 36 years old, is looking to flip the script on his injury struggles. He didn’t mince words, admitting the last two years have been “rough” due to injuries. But his vibe is completely different now. “For myself personally, I feel great again,” he said, sounding genuinely pumped. “I feel like I’ve turned that corner in dealing with injuries, and now kind of re-establishing myself from a physical standpoint again, and with that, I can carry it over to the court.” Celtics fans have to be hyped hearing that kind of talk. This is exactly what the team needs from a veteran addition with his talent.
The Boston Move and a ‘Rebirth’ Summer
George landed in Boston as part of the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the 76ers. He’s also clearly ready to embrace a specific role. “We have a superstar, and that’s JT… I’m here to help JT. He’s the guy,” George declared. That kind of self-awareness and willingness to defer could be huge for team chemistry. What’s even bigger is the health update tied to this new environment. Last year, George had an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee from a workout injury. The season before that, his first with the 76ers, was a nightmare of knee hyperextension and adductor issues. This summer? Totally different. George called it “almost like a kind of rebirth.” He finally had a chance to “strengthen my body, strengthen my knee,” contrasting it sharply with previous summers dedicated solely to rehab.
Boston definitely has some young wings ready to step up if injuries pop up, like Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Ron Harper Jr. But let’s be real, if Paul George can stay relatively healthy and be good to go when it really matters, the Celtics are going to be a completely different beast. His ‘rebirth’ this summer could be the exact spark this team needs to go all the way.
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.
Leave a Reply