Paul George reveals key to meshing on-court with Jayson Tatum

Tuesday at the Auerbach Center, Paul George and Mike Conley had their introductory press conference with the Boston Celtics.

While Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla flanked them at opposite ends of the podium, unfortunately, Mitchell Robinson was a late scratch due to a personal matter.

Early in the press conference, George was asked about his initial conversations with Jayson Tatum, who he has spent time working out with in Los Angeles, and how their games can mesh.

The nine-time All-Star pointed to that happening "organically. Us working off one another, working with one another. I think those relations and those conversations will happen as we get going full-fledged," said George. "I think for right now, it's just learning one another. What we like, what we dislike, how I can help you, how you can help me. But those conversations will happen organically. It's not one thing to kind of rush that. We'll get on the court, and we'll iron that out."

Why Paul George and Jayson Tatum are built to mesh

As detailed previously, George should fit in seamlessly in the Celtics' system.

He is a lethal kick-out option for Tatum and the rest of his new teammates. The six-time All-NBA selection is coming off a campaign in which he knocked down 41.7 percent of the 4.5 catch-and-shoot 3s he launched, per NBA Stats.

And not only does the 16-year veteran remain an effective isolation scorer, but he is also a turnover suppressor who can help Boston win the possession battle.

While not comparing who the better player is, George is a more complementary fit alongside Tatum than Jaylen Brown was. It's also fair to project that, for as many stars as the former Philadelphia 76er has teamed with, from Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard to Joel Embiid, this will prove to be the most natural partnership of any he has had.

Paul George can still create havoc defensively

The four-time All-Defensive Team selection is still a defensive disruptor. With his legs fresh, Tatum and Brown experienced that firsthand last postseason. He was excellent against them late in the first-round rivalry clash between Boston and Philadelphia.

He now joins a Celtics team that ranked 29th in opponents' turnovers per game in the 2025-26 campaign. George can provide a needed boost and will help fuel Boston's transition attack.

He swiped 1.7 steals per game last season, matching his career average. The player he is replacing produced 1.0 thefts per contest last year. It's a productive output, one that matches his career average. However, it still means the Celtics are inserting a player who generates more turnovers.

George also plays passing lanes well. He averaged 4.1 deflections in his final year with the 76ers. Brown averaged 1.8 in his final season in Boston. While it's fair to point to the former's figure, inflated by only playing in 37 tilts, their history tells a similar story.

When George appeared in 74 contests in his final campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers, he deflected 3.0 passes. Brown deflected 1.8. That disruptive nature should elevate his new team at both ends of the floor.

So, while the Celtics lost a beloved individual on the court and in the community, George arrives well-positioned to star in a new role with a new franchise.

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