Although his trade was one of the Celtics’ most criticized decisions among the fans, Paul George could not be happier with the fresh start he has experienced this summer. Even though he has only been with the franchise for a few months and his first season has not officially begun yet, the forward told Gary Washburn, a reporter for the Boston Globe, that he is delighted with his new situation, to the point of already making clear that he would like to spend several years with the Celtics.
“The locker room, the culture, the front office, the city, the franchise, the tradition… It’s something I had never had the chance to be a part of before,” he acknowledged. “Everything is of high quality, and it’s a very refreshing feeling. I think during my career I’ve become a nomad, but right now I would like to reach a point where I can consider Boston my home.”
In fact, George has gone even further and has assured that staying in contact with his teammates and the staff is rekindling his enjoyment of basketball. We’ll see if that translates into a version that approaches the best years of his career.
“I’m integrating very well with the franchise and with more teammates. I’m more than happy; I’m ecstatic to be here. It’s as if they’ve resurrected a part of me that had been buried for a long time, and that sparks a different kind of passion. I’m back to feeling the love for the sport, and I think everything is fitting into place.”
Paul George will enter this season in a challenging situation, facing the pressure of stepping into the shoes of one of the franchise’s prodigal sons, yet on the other hand no one seems to expect too much from him. After years with the 76ers plagued by injuries and a lack of continuity, there are those who, at 36 years old, already seem to have given up on the forward, who, with this renewed optimism, may find a genuine opportunity for redemption.
