BOSTON — Paul George followed through extra long as his first three-pointer as a member of the Celtics swished through the net. The 36-year-old has hit nearly 3,000 threes in his NBA career, but this was his first time doing so in green.
So, he let out a sigh of relief.
“You want to make every one you shoot right, but to see one go down, finally…” he said afterward, explaining how eager he was to see his first go down after missing his first few shots on the night.
George didn’t shoot great on the whole
in the Celtics’ 144-106 preseason win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He hit 3 of 10 field goal attempts and 2 of 7 three-pointers in his Celtics debut, but he impacted the game in other ways, racking up 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists in 25 minutes.
And, he was thrilled to play in front of a sold-out TD Garden crowd that felt far more intense than your average preseason crowd.
“It was amazing — it’s everything you feel as an opponent with that energy, that excitement, that passion, to then be on the good side of things,” George said. “It’s electric; it definitely fuels you, makes you play hard; it makes you want to win for that everyone in that arena. And, it is like a badge of honor to wear that green.”
Saturday marked the first time George shared the floor with Jayson Tatum; the two have been on opposing teams throughout training camp, so surprisingly, they haven’t gotten reps as teammates yet.
And the 36-year-old is eager to put the 28-year-old in positions to succeed.
“My job is just to make the game as easy as possible for JT,” George said. “Today was literally our first time being on the same side — all camp we’ve been competing against each other. So today was our first opportunity to learn from each other and get a feel for one another. But again, my job is try to make this as easy as possible for him.”
George believes Tatum has MVP upside — he’s now said so in multiple interviews. So, he views himself as someone who will help unlock that.
“He’s going to be special,” George said. “He’s going to be special. He knows how to make plays. He knows how to get his own shot. But if my aggression takes the pressure off him, and if I can find ways to steal the extra possessions defensively, or get him some easy baskets, that’s what I’m on that floor to do.”
George wasn’t quite sure of himself on the offensive end on Saturday, which is why hitting that first three-pointer felt so good. But, defensively, he showed flashes of his four-time All-Defense self, earning Joe Mazzulla’s praise after the game. And he’s letting the game come to him as he figures it all out.
“I’m still trying to find my way offensively and figuring out the system; it’s been a challenge, a great challenge, and Joe has been extremely helpful in that,” George said. “The guys have been extremely helpful in that process, but for sure, defensively is where I’ve always taken pride in making plays and trying to win every possession.”
It wasn’t Paul George’s first ‘first day of school’ — but this one was extra special
George has played for 5 NBA teams — the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, and now, the Celtics. And so, through his 17-year career, he’s learned to appreciate the nerves that come with settling into a new franchise and acclimating to a new fanbase.
“There’s always nerves,” George said. “No matter if it’s Game 1 of your rookie year or year 17. There are always nerves. There’s always an excitement. That’s what makes you keep coming back, makes you excited every morning — when you wake up, you get to play basketball.”
That feeling is only heightened playing for the Celtics, he said.
“But especially here — a team that’s ready to win now, a winning franchise, a winning culture, a winning tradition,” George said. “There’s for sure an added, extra fuel of nerves to come out and perform, and when it’s all said and done, leave everything on the floor and be proud of the results.”
