Boston Celtics fans should be excited about Paul George's arrival and what he can do for the team next season (and beyond?).
I get it. The way he got to Boston wasn't great, and it's fair to just immediately think of the Jaylen Brown disaster when you see him, but George can actually be an asset to this team. The fact of the matter is that the Celtics are trying to compete for a championship next season, and the California native can help them achieve that.
Paul George can help the Celtics compete for a championship
There are some valid concerns fans may have about George in Boston (his injury history, the fact that he is 36 years old, and again, the fact that the team traded Brown to get him), but there are some serious reasons to believe he can also help the Celtics compete.
For starters, he still has a lot left in the tank. Celtics fans saw it firsthand in the playoffs last season (he averaged 17.4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.4 steals on 48.9/55/77.8% shooting splits in the first round while playing exceptional defense - the Philadelphia 76ers don't win that series without him).
And on paper, he is an exceptional fit in Joe Mazzulla's system. He is still a tremendous shooter (he has shot 39.5% from deep in his last three seasons and shot 41.7% off catch-and-shoot threes last season), is an exceptional defender, and he can playmake a bit and move the ball around.
George's best role in Boston is to be more of a connector/complement to Jayson Tatum, and he has already made it clear that he's ready to embrace this role. And even though he's not necessarily a star anymore, the Fresno State alum is still a threat both on and off the ball, and his gravity should make it easier for the rest of the team to flourish.
And on top of all of that, the 36-year-old seems to think that his injury problems are behind him. Only time will tell if this actually works out, but it's still a promising sign nonetheless.
Paul George isn't in Boston to be the new Jaylen Brown
At the end of the day, George is with the Celtics to help Tatum lead this team. He's not trying to take over his role, and he's not even trying to be a 1B.
This could be considered a problem by some because it puts a lot of pressure on the Duke alum (remember: he has played just 22 total games since tearing his Achilles and has never been a clear-cut No. 1 option at the NBA level), and having that 1A/1B combo in Tatum and Brown was mostly beneficial to the Celtics, but I don't see it that way.
As good as Brown was in Boston, he never elevated his teammates more than Tatum did. He wasn't nearly as impactful on the court, and there's a reason the Celtics were at their best when Tatum had the ball more. This whole system is built around the St. Louis native and his strengths as an all-around talent. George knows that, and he knows it's up to him to bring the best out of each other.
Celtics fans have a right to still be upset about the Brown trade or George's arrival, but don't let that cloud your judgment. There are legitimate reasons to be excited about what the nine-time All-Star can bring to the table, and he'll play a big role in Boston's desire to exceed all expectations once again.
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