Paul George appears to have found something with the Boston Celtics that had been missing during the later stages of his NBA career. The nine-time All-Star recently opened up about his new beginning in Boston, revealing that joining the Celtics has helped him rediscover his passion for basketball. Speaking with Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe, George explained how his new teammates and the organization's culture have changed his outlook entering his 17th NBA season.
"There's a love again for this game," George said. The comments come after a challenging two-year stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, where injuries and inconsistent availability prevented George from meeting the expectations surrounding his arrival. George appeared in just 37 regular-season games last season, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
His season was also disrupted by a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. Despite those setbacks, George showed flashes of his former All-Star form during Philadelphia's playoff series against Boston. The Celtics eventually acquired the 36-year-old forward during the offseason in a blockbuster trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the 76ers.
Now, George is embracing an opportunity to compete alongside Jayson Tatum while attempting to help Boston pursue another championship. The veteran forward also spoke highly of the Celtics' locker room, front office and organizational culture, describing the environment as a refreshing change from his previous experiences. George acknowledged that criticism and the pressure surrounding his career have affected him at times but said he has learned to approach those challenges with a greater sense of gratitude.
His appreciation for Boston has already extended beyond the upcoming season. George told Washburn that he hopes the Celtics can become his final NBA destination, expressing a desire to establish a lasting home with the organization. That possibility would represent a meaningful conclusion to a career that has included stops with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia.
George has accomplished nearly everything individually during his NBA career, but an NBA championship remains missing from his resume. Boston now offers him another opportunity to pursue that goal while contributing to one of the league's most established franchises. For George, however, the opportunity appears to represent something more personal.
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