Paul George gets it.
He gets that Celtics fans were not excited to see him come to town. It’s not personal, but he was the big contract and big name who came to Boston when Celtics president Brad Stevens sent the much-beloved Jaylen Brown to a rival in Philadelphia. That trade — made for financial reasons because of the tax aprons, Stevens said — left a bitter taste in Celtics fans’ mouths. One week, those fans thought they were in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a few weeks later, the man who finished sixth in MVP voting a season ago was gone and replaced by the 36-year-old George.
“Listen, I understand the circumstances. I understand how huge J.B. was, not only for the organization but here in the city. So I didn’t take it, personal, to be honest…” George said of his reception. “To be honest, it’s fair, but just one foot in front of the other. Hopefully, with how we start this year, they understand this is a new team and something that they can be proud of.”
George, who played just 78 games across two seasons in Philadelphia due to injuries and a suspension, said he feels “like I’ve turned that corner” and his body is right again.
He also said he understands he is not the star of this team. Jayson Tatum — returning from his own injury — is that guy.
“We have a superstar, and that’s J.T.,” George said. “I’m not here to necessarily steal the shine or try to reinvent who I am….
“I’m here to help J.T. And he’s the guy, right? I played alongside another superstar wing (Kawhi Leonard, when Paul was with the Clippers), and we co-existed beautifully. I see myself and that with J.T., being able to play off him, being able to help him.”
If he can stay healthy, what George brings to Boston is a high-IQ game, defense, and a scoring threat opponents have to respect. He may not be at his peak, but this is still a nine-time All-Star and four-time All-Defense player.
George and Mike Conley, the other veteran introduced in Boston Tuesday, both said all the right things about Boston’s winning culture and wanting to be part of it. Neither has a ring, both said that potential is part of what drew them to Boston.
George gets it if Celtics fans need some time — and some proof of concept — to talk themselves into this team (otherwise those fans spend time trying to dissect Joe Mazzulla’s facial expressions during a September press conference). George also knows he has to stay healthy and on the court, telling NBC Sports Boston it would be “unacceptable for me, from a personal level, to not be able to play at least 50 games, 60 games in a season.”
While the Celtics have interesting younger players — Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Ron Harper Jr., just-drafted Chris Cenac Jr. — if this team is going to look like a threat in the East, it’s because George recaptured much of his form.
It’s just a September press conference, few things will mean less when the games start, but George at least gets it.
“I’m all in and I’m happy to pull along and do my part to try to lead this group back to where I think everybody here feels and wants,” George said.
That’s all you can ask.
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