Saturday night at TD Garden, Paul George took the parquet for the first time as a member of the Boston Celtics. His preseason debut highlighted why his new team is about to start generating more turnovers and transition points.
The Celtics ranked 29th in opponents' turnovers per game last year. Their 11.9 fast-break points per contest were only 0.1 better than the 30th-ranked Milwaukee Bucks.
George finished with five steals and six deflections in Boston's 144-106 route of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first of their two exhibition bouts. He also put 13 points on the board, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out four assists.
"Everything you feel as an opponent with that energy, that excitement, that passion, to then be on the good side of things, it's electric," said the 16-year veteran after the win. "It is like a badge of honor to wear that green."
Paul George is ready to help the Celtics' defense wreak havoc
Boston yielded the fewest points per game last season. The 18-time champions ranked fourth in defensive rating.
Now, defensive menaces like Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh are poised for more minutes. Plus, George and Mitchell Robinson have joined the fold. The result should be more turnovers and transition points.
Saturday, the Celtics' new wing, a four-time All-Defensive team selection, showed the boost he'll bring. It was one of the top takeaways from this matchup.
Inside Paul George's defensive playmaking
In an instance that highlighted the savvy instincts of a seasoned pro, he looked back at Justin Edwards as he approached half-court. That allowed George to subsequently utilize his length to knock away the throw-ahead pass to Rayan Rupert, forcing a turnover.
He's also an active and alert help defender. For example, in the second quarter, the six-foot-eight wing stunted to disrupt a Dean Wade drive before batting and intercepting his kick-out pass to Labaron Philon. George immediately turned his head up the floor. He shoveled the ball to Derrick White, whose alley-oop to Hugo Gonzalez turned into an open corner 3 for Payton Pritchard.
George is also a dynamic, versatile defender. His length and athleticism repeatedly presented challenges for the 76ers' guards. That includes when he stonewalled Jameer Nelson Jr. as the latter came off a ghost screen from Caleb Love. With Nelson exposing the ball, the nine-time All-Star pickpocketed the rock and strutted in for a two-handed slam.
Post-game, George said his play at the defensive end of the floor helped him get going offensively. The six-time All-NBA selection has always been a two-way wing, making his presence felt on both sides of the ball. Now, the Celtics get to reap the benefits. Saturday showcased how he'll help one of the NBA's best defenses become even more disruptive.
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