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Paul George confessed to feeling jitters before his inaugural game on the Celtics' parquet floor. Following Boston's dominant win over his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, George remarked, "Always nerves," and elaborated on the excitement and added pressure of joining a franchise with a winning tradition and immediate championship aspirations.
George's performance was impactful, as he recorded five of Boston's 16 steals, fueling a defensive effort that contributed to a 144-point outburst. The uniqueness of the night stemmed not only from George wearing Celtics green but also from his first on-court partnership with Jayson Tatum.
"All camp, we've been competing against each other," George noted. "So today was the first opportunity to kind of learn each other and get a feel for one another. But my job is to try to make this as easy as possible for him." This explains why George has consistently worn a green jersey in Celtics scrimmage videos while Tatum has worn black, as coach Joe Mazzulla has deliberately kept them apart.
Tatum echoed the sentiment, saying, "It was great because we've been teammates for a few months now, but it was like my first time sharing the floor with them and being on the same team. Somebody that I've obviously admired for a very, very long time and when I was in high school and college and competing against them and now to be on the same team and to see some of the special things that he brings to the team." Tatum, who once wore George's signature shoes and now has his own line, is leading a team where George plays a supporting role.
Throughout the game, George often sacrificed his own shot attempts to set up Tatum, who responded with a stellar performance that silenced any doubts about his form this season. The pressing question now is how often they will share the court moving forward.
Key Analysis
Mazzulla's strategic approach is evident, though he departed before clarifying why George and Tatum have been largely separated in practices. Was the Sixers game a preview of a potential closing lineup? A hint at future starting units? Or has training camp been a method for Mazzulla to acclimate George to playing with Tatum by having him guard Tatum? Given Mazzulla's meticulous nature, this could signal how the Celtics will begin games going forward.
It's plausible, as it's hard to envision Mazzulla dedicating weeks to a specific configuration without intending to use it. Tatum, Derrick White, and Mitchell Robinson have been constants in the black jerseys, with Baylor Scheierman also emerging as a starting candidate. The fifth spot will likely be filled by George or another player.
Mazzulla probably evaluates these in-game performances differently than fans do, as he has observed George daily for about a month, while this was the public's first look. His information is more comprehensive. Regardless of his decision, Saturday night offered valuable insights. While it's unclear if this was the future starting or closing lineup, or merely data collection for the coaching staff, the players' post-game comments have provided a clear direction.
The on-court chemistry was impressive, and however the lineup is utilized, its potential is evident. George praised Tatum, saying, "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 extra possessions defensively or get him some easy baskets, that's what I'm on that floor to do."
John Karalis is a 20-year veteran of Celtics coverage and was nominated for NSMA's Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year in 2019. He has hosted the Locked On Celtics podcast since 2016 and has written two books about the Celtics. John was born and raised in Pawtucket, RI. He graduated from Shea High School in Pawtucket, where he played football, soccer, baseball, and basketball and was captain of the baseball and basketball teams. John graduated from Emerson College in Boston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism and was a member of their Gold Key Honor Society. He was a four-year starter and two-year captain of the Men's Basketball team, and remains one of the school's top all-time scorers, and Emerson's all-time leading rebounder. He is also the first Emerson College player to play professional basketball (Greece). John started his career in television, producing and creating shows since 1997. He spent nine years at WBZ, launching two different news and lifestyle shows before ascending to Executive Producer and Managing Editor. He then went to New York, where he was a producer and reporter until 2018. John is one of Boston's original Celtics bloggers, creating RedsArmy.com in 2006. In 2018, John joined the Celtics beat full-time for MassLive.com and then went to Boston Sports Journal in 2021, where he covered the Celtics for five years. He has hosted the Locked On Celtics podcast since 2016, and it currently ranks as the #1 Boston Celtics podcast on iTunes and Spotify rankings. He is also one of the co-hosts of the Locked on NBA podcast. Follow John_Karalis.