Paul George has actually not looked bad overall with the Boston Celtics since the preseason began. In fact, his defensive playmaking has not only stood out like a sore thumb, but it's introduced a new wrinkle into Mazzulla Ball. The only hiccup has been that he's been doing his best Marcus Smart impression as a shooter.
It has... not been pretty for George two games into the preseason, but before we get into the nitty-gritty, this is nothing to be concerned about. He is a much better shooter than this, and it will definitely come around in time. It's just a bad stretch, luckily happening in games that don't count (even if they are quite telling for how Boston plans to play).
But George shooting five-for-20 from the field overall is frustrating because, well, where was this in the playoffs last year?! George swung that series between Boston and Philadelphia. On top of shutting off the Jays' water, George shot nearly 49% from the field and 55% from three while averaging 17.4 points per game. Anyone who says he had very little to do with why the Sixers beat the Celtics is either lying and/or did not watch.
That undoubtedly factored into why Boston felt comfortable making that trade with Philadelphia, but seeing him shoot so poorly is another odious reminder that it was the exact opposite when he helped send the Celtics home early in the playoffs.
George keeping that up will help fans get over last year
George's hot shooting in last year's playoffs should keep fans optimistic that he will keep that up in Boston. Even the best shooters had their bad stretches. The year they won Banner 17, Ray Allen went ice cold for an entire series; then, once he got his all-time jumper back, he became arguably their most consistent player.
George is likely to have those same cold stretches, and maybe they'll happen in the playoffs, but he has proven that he can nail those shots when it matters most. If he hadn't, Boston would have moved on to the second round back in May, no question, and it probably wouldn't have taken seven games to do it.
More importantly, even if he's not hitting his shots, George is still proving why Boston got him. His chemistry with Tatum is noticeable, and he's making smart plays on the defensive end. The last piece of the puzzle is making his shots. They're not happening now, but with his history, there's no reason to think they won't surface this season.
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