The Celtics are entering a new era, and Paul George knows full well that his arrival in Boston comes with high expectations. The 36-year-old star was officially introduced by his new team and did not shy away from addressing the reactions sparked by the trade of Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP.
George moved to the Celtics from Philadelphia, with Boston parting ways with one of its most important players of the past decade. As he acknowledged, he has heard the discontent from some of the team’s fans, but he considers the emotional bond that existed with Brown to be perfectly natural.
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“I understand the situation. I know how important JB was, not only to the organization but to the entire city. I didn’t take it personally. It makes sense that people would have an emotional connection to this trade,” said the new Celtics player.
He made it clear that he doesn’t see himself as the one called upon to “fill Brown’s shoes.” His goal is to make the most of this new opportunity and help the Celtics stay in the title race.
“I’m not here to fill the void left by Jalen Brown. But I believe I can help this team stay in the running and give it a real chance to win,” he emphasized.
The big question mark surrounding the nine-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection is his health. In recent years, he has struggled with injuries while playing for both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sixers, and he also underwent knee surgery before last season. He, however, seemed particularly optimistic.
George stated that he feels great again, believes he has put his injury problems behind him, and feels he is now in a position to bring his game back to the level that established him among the top forwards of his generation.
His signing is part of the major overhaul carried out this summer by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. In addition to George, Mitchell Robinson and the veteran Mike Conley have also arrived in Boston, with the goal of building a new team around Jayson Tatum.
Tatum is preparing for his first full season since suffering an Achilles tendon rupture in May 2025. His return toward the end of last season didn’t go as he’d hoped, as he sat out Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs, when the Celtics were eliminated by George’s Sixers.
Mitchell Robinson arrives in Boston having won the championship with the Knicks, while the 38-year-old Conley is preparing for the 20th season of his NBA career. Conley is expected to provide experience behind Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, while Robinson will bolster the front line behind Nehemiah Keta.
For Paul George, however, the expectations are different. The Celtics expect him to be Tatum’s primary partner and to provide scoring, playmaking, and leadership to a team that has changed significantly from the one that won its 18th championship in 2024.
“It’s a new team and a new opportunity,” said George, who seems determined to prove that the difficult previous seasons are now a thing of the past. For him, as well as for the Celtics, the new season will be a major challenge with a clear goal: to keep Boston at the top of the Eastern Conference and in the hunt for yet another championship.
*photo source: AP
