Mike Conley didn’t need long to figure out what makes Boston different.
The veteran guard said the Celtics’ building carries its own energy, and that feeling hit him right away at Tuesday’s introductory press conference at the Auerbach Center.
“When you walk into the building, there's a sense, there's an atmosphere, there's something that's just a little bit different, and just you find yourself in there two, three hours, not realizing you've been in there working that much, and just a part of the culture,” Conley said.
Paul George, standing alongside him, jumped in with a smile before Conley could finish the thought.
“Stole the answer right out of my mouth. I mean, it's winning. When you think of Boston, it's winning.”
That’s the pitch, and it’s the pull. Boston is a place where the expectation is built into the walls, and both veterans arrive with the kind of résumés that fit the moment.
Conley, born in October of 1987, grew up with the Celtics as reigning NBA champions. A year after George was drafted in 2007, Boston won its 17th title.
Now both are here trying to add to that history.
George is entering his 17th season. Conley is about to become the 14th player in NBA history to appear in his 20th season.
Between them, they’ve seen plenty of conference finals. Neither has reached the championship round.
That’s part of what gives this move its edge. Conley said he wanted to come to Boston to experience a flagship franchise, and the urgency around chasing a title matches exactly where the Celtics already live. For a team with plenty of talent and a roster that still wants another NBA title, that kind of hunger matters.
George also talked Tuesday about how he sees his fit next to Jayson Tatum. He addressed whether he still considers himself a superstar, and made it clear that label belongs to Tatum now. What George is focused on is how their games can work together and how his experience can help.
That includes the reality both players know well: being the top option, carrying that load, and coming back from serious injuries. George is eight years older than Tatum, and he said he’s looking forward to serving as a mentor as well as a teammate.
Conley is already doing that work, too. He has started training with Payton Pritchard, including regular one-on-one sessions. Pritchard said this offseason that he wanted to learn from the soon-to-be 20-year veteran, and that process is already underway.
The Celtics also have a group of young wings who can benefit from Conley’s presence: Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr. That kind of steady influence is a big part of why he matters in Boston, beyond the minutes he’ll play or the shots he’ll make.
In Other News...
Celtics May Have Another Shot At The Backcourt Spark They Need
Devin Carter has emerged as a name worth watching as the Celtics keep sorting through ways to deepen the backcourt. His appeal starts on the defensive end, where his athleticism and ability to chase down offensive rebounds give him the kind of edge Boston has often valued in reserve guards. The fit is easy to see for a team looking for low-risk help and a player who can bring energy without needing the offense built around him.
The comparison to Jaden Springer is part of what makes Carter interesting in Boston, since both players draw attention for their physical tools and disruptive defense. The difference, of course, is whether Carter can offer more on the other end than Springer managed to do with the Celtics. That is the real question for Boston, which appears willing to see if Carter can turn those traits into something more reliable if the opportunity comes. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Just Forced The Jayson Tatum Question Fans Feared
The Celtics spent years building around the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown pairing, leaning on two wings who could carry a playoff offense and take turns shouldering the pressure. By sending Brown to Philadelphia in the Paul George deal, Boston has officially moved on from that familiar balance and handed Tatum a much clearer lane as the team's primary offensive option.
For a franchise that has long valued star versatility, the change raises the obvious question of how Tatum handles the heavier burden now that Brown is gone. The fit between the two was once the foundation of Boston's identity, but this move shifts the conversation toward whether Tatum's expanded role can keep the Celtics at the same level without the second All-Star safety net beside him. [Read more 🡒]
Jayson Tatum Just Addressed The Jaylen Brown Trade Noise
Jayson Tatum finally addressed the buzz surrounding Jaylen Browns exit from Boston, and he did so with the kind of measured tone that fit the moment. Tatum spoke openly about his respect and affection for Brown, pointing back to everything they built together over nine seasons, from repeated trips to the Conference Finals to an NBA championship that cemented them as the core of the Celtics rise.
Browns trade naturally brought questions about whether the relationship between the two stars had been strained by the business side of the league, but Tatum leaned the other way. He framed it as part of basketballs realities, said he wished Brown well, and left the door open to the idea that what they accomplished in Boston still carries real weight even as both move on to different chapters. [Read more 🡒]