Jaylen Brown built an unbreakable bond with Boston. He was as present in the community as any athlete, especially a star.
And on the court, the Celtics' homegrown wing helped lead the franchise to Banner 18, capturing Eastern Conference and NBA Finals MVP in the process.
Watching him blossom over a decade, arriving at 19 and leaving as he nears his 30th birthday, constantly defying the odds, all while immersing himself in and elevating the region he starred in, made him an adopted son of the area.
Being on the other side of the trade that shipped him to Philadelphia isn't a desirable position. Tuesday, during his introductory press conference with the Celtics, Paul George shared what this has been like for him.
Paul George on Celtics fans' reaction: 'I didn't take it personal'
It would be hard for that connection between Brown and Boston to be lost on the other half of this trade. Especially when the one going away has a farewell party in the city, and thousands of people come to show him love.
While George's arrival isn't under favorable circumstances, he doesn't shy from that reality. Instead, he has nothing but respect for the relationship that exists. It's something any player would want to have with the place that becomes their professional home.
"I understand how huge JB was, not only for the organization but here in the city," said George. "So, I didn't take it personal[ly]. To be honest, they should have a relationship, emotionally, to that trade."
What excites Paul George most about joining the Celtics
While the way it happened wasn't enviable, the nine-time All-Star is still glad to be in Boston. He also said that physically, he hasn't felt like this entering a season in quite some time.
But what excites him most about being a Celtic is that he should thrive in their system. As a cerebral player, he admires that it always felt like Joe Mazzulla's club was a step ahead. That, and the sense of freedom the C's play with.
Now that George gets to be a part of it, he should fit like a glove. Beyond his intellect, he's a turnover suppressor, a knockdown shooter off the catch, and he remains an effective iso scorer. In other words, he is exactly the type of dynamic talent Boston wants on the floor. Defensively, he remains disruptive. His 1.7 steals and 4.1 deflections per game last season testify to that.
George is also looking forward to partnering with Jayson Tatum. Being the other half of the Jaylen Brown trade isn't desirable. However, he's eager to prove himself to his new team and fan base. If he stays healthy, his fit in the Celtics' system should set him up to star in his role and win people over in the process.
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