Paul George has fit in seamlessly with the Celtics. He's accentuating Jayson Tatum, making Boston's defense more disruptive, and leading productive lineups when the team's best player is off the floor.
As much of that stems from his dynamic skill set, his superpower is his IQ.
"His open-mindedness to want to learn," said Joe Mazzulla after Sunday's 117-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. "The way he processes film, the way he journals, the way he sees the game. The conversations he has with the coaches during the game. I think just his willingness to push himself. It's fun to watch."
Paul George and the Celtics are a match made in heaven
The nine-time All-Star knew it immediately. When he arrived in Boston, he expressed excitement about his new chapter and wished he had joined the franchise sooner.
One reason for that is the Celtics' style of play; it's tailor-made for a cerebral player like the 16-year veteran.
"The freedom that they have to kind of operate and playing off one another, it always just felt like they were a step ahead. And I feel like I've always played that way, from a cerebral standpoint," said George at his introductory press conference in September. "I feel like I can really thrive in a system like this."
Thanks to his supreme feel for the game, he's doing exactly that at both ends of the floor.
Paul George is supercharging the Celtics' defense
As a defensive playmaker, he is averaging 2.3 steals per contest. That ties him with Scottie Barnes for the third-most in the league among those who have suited up at least seven times and logged at least 25 minutes per appearance.
The four-time All-Defensive Team selection is consistently winning with anticipation. He's jumping passing lanes, deftly navigating screens, and helping to prevent drives from reaching the rim. Thanks to his quick trigger and six-foot-11 wingspan, George is producing 5.1 deflections per game. That's the third-most in the NBA.
As previously explained, stop percentage is based on steals, offensive fouls drawn, and blocks recovered by the defense out of 100 possessions. George's 4.6 percent stop percentage is in the 100th percentile in that category, per Databallr.
He's boosting a Boston defense that ranks in the top 10 in turnovers forced and points off those giveaways. It's a welcome addition that will matter most in the playoffs when scoring is harder to come by.
Paul George was made in a lab for Jayson Tatum
The 36-year-old wing is a knockdown catch-and-shoot option on kick-out or swing passes. He limits turnovers and remains effective when he gets opportunities to iso.
George fit alongside Kawhi Leonard, and his name was in the MVP conversation while playing with Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. However, he's also at a stage in his career where there is no jockeying with Tatum. From Day 1, he made it clear that he's here to help elevate the Celtics' best player.
The six-time All-NBA selection is doing just that. George looks his way often and consistently creates easier baskets for the former Duke Blue Devil. When they're on the floor together, Boston is generating 120.5 points per 100 possessions, per Databallr. The Celtics have a +11.1 net rating in those minutes. Keep in mind, those consistently include the most difficult stretches, like the end of games.
His new team also boasts a +24.7 net rating when George is in without Tatum. That ability to win the minutes while the latter recharges is crucial. It's another piece of the puzzle. It captures that, from their complementary skill sets to where they are in their careers, the Celtics' new wing tandem is at the beginning of a partnership that was meant to be.
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