Paul George's time with the Philadelphia Sixers ended this summer in the Jaylen Brown trade with the Celtics. He played just 78 games across his two seasons in Philly, primarily due to injuries (plus a suspension), from a torn adductor to recovery from last offseason's arthroscopic knee surgery. On Tuesday, speaking with the media in Boston, the 36-year-old acknowledged how difficult the past couple of years were, but said he feels much better physically now.
“Last two years have been rough just with injuries but for myself personally I feel great again I feel like I've turned that corner of dealing with injuries and now kind of re-establishing myself and from a physical standpoint again and with that I can carry it over to the court.”
George even went so far as to compare where he's at to a "rebirth." He noted that he got to spend the offseason strengthening his body instead of dealing with rehab. Whether you see his comments as him saying the right thing in his first media availability with the Celtics, the fact that he hasn't spent the summer in recovery mode matters. He's not starting the season at a disadvantage.
If what he said holds up, Boston could get a version of the player Philadelphia envisioned when it signed him to a four-year max contract in 2024 — one who could stay on the floor.
Paul George says he's in great shape
The forward auditioned for the Celtics in the playoffs this past year without even realizing it. Boston saw that, when healthy, George can still impact winning basketball when it matters most.
The Celtics know they won't get an 82-game season from George. But what they preferably need is for him to be available for more than 41 games, the most he played in a single season in Philadelphia. They can help him get there by managing his minutes and giving him off nights, which will help ensure that he's in the best shape possible for the playoffs.
That starts with the offseason, so it's notable that George had a healthy summer and could focus on preparing his body for the long season ahead. With two weeks left until training camp, George is good to go, which is all Boston can ask for right now. And if that holds, the blowback the Celtics received for swapping Brown for him won't look so bad.
Philadelphia didn't get to see the George who spoke with the media today, and even if the Celtics do, the Sixers should look to Brown and reaffirm that the trade was worth it.
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