Paul George is walking into Boston with a clear message: he’s not there to take over, he’s there to fit in.
That was the tone he struck during a recent appearance on 98.5 “The Sports Hub,” where he made it plain that he understands exactly where he stands alongside Jayson Tatum.
“I know how much value I bring to the game to where I don’t have to be known as the guy on the team,” said George. “I still can be efficient; I can still have an imprint on the game with any role that I have.
So, again, JT is the guy. I’m here and want to be here to help him be the best version, and help him be in that MVP conversation.”
For Boston, that kind of self-awareness matters. The Celtics are trying to answer big questions after the Jaylen Brown trade, and one of the biggest is whether George can handle life as the No. 2 option without forcing the issue. George, though, says the role suits him.
That’s been the story of much of his career. He started out as a wing role player in Indiana before rising into stardom.
He later became a co-star with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, then spent 2019 to 2023 playing second fiddle to Kawhi Leonard with the Clippers. Even if that Clippers run didn’t bring much postseason success, George still found a comfortable lane for years.
The more recent chapter has been far less convincing. His two seasons in Philadelphia lasted only 42 and 37 games, and even when he was on the floor, the numbers weren’t close to what made him a star.
He averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% overall. That stretch left his contract viewed as one of the worst in the NBA, and for some, nearly impossible to move.
Now he’s in Boston, where the expectations are different and the margin for error is thin. George has to prove there’s still plenty left in the tank, all while avoiding any tension with the team’s established hierarchy.
The fit with Tatum is the obvious storyline. George has already framed it as a partnership built around making Tatum better, not competing for the same spotlight.
Tatum himself is coming off injury-shortened stints and will be carrying a heavier load in a new setup. Last season, the 6’8″ forward averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 41.1% from the field.
If George can stay healthy, his presence should at least ease some of that burden. And for now, the early signs are encouraging. Reports of good health have him positioned to enter the season ready to contribute right away as a veteran wing presence.
The humility is a good start. The Celtics, though, will need it to hold all season if they’re going to keep pace with the top teams.
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