Joe Mazzulla reveals Paul George’s ‘extreme’ importance to Celtics’ identity appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Celtics were without Jayson Tatum for their Wednesday night contest against the Milwaukee Bucks — with Tatum getting the day off for rest purposes. With Tatum out, the Celtics turned to Paul George to take on first-option duties on offense. And while the Celtics encountered some rough patches that let the Bucks back into the game, George drilled a dagger triple late in the fourth, and led the way en route to a 109-102 victory.
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George finished with 25 points, three rebounds, and five assists, and he continued to be a menace on the defensive end, racking up four thefts. The Celtics veteran has endeared himself quickly not just to the fanbase, but also to the coaching staff — with head coach Joe Mazzulla expressing how important George is to the identity of this ballclub.
“Extremely, and beyond basketball… Defensively, he’s been elite since he stepped on the court. Offensively, it’s been a fun journey with him just growing through it, learning the system and how to play, and just being unpredictable… We need the best version of him for us to be a great team. And I think you were able to see that tonight,” Mazzulla said in his postgame presser, via Justin Turpin of WEEI.
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George did turn the ball over six times, which shows that, at this stage of his career, he is better off as the second option behind a true superstar like Tatum. But George definitely has it in him still to moonlight as the team’s primary scoring weapon, even at 36 years of age, whenever Tatum is not on the court.
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It was evident from the start that the Celtics saw George as a hand and glove fit in their team on both ends of the court, and they’re reaping the rewards of their faith in the veteran star. On the season, George is now averaging 21.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.6 steals on 46/41/81 shooting splits.
Related: Celtics’ Paul George pinpoints what makes Derrick White so great to play with
Related: Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard land on injury report for Bucks game
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