Celtics forward Pavel George admits the pressure and criticism he’s faced — especially from former players — has bothered him at times over the years, but he welcomes the opportunity to suit up for his new team, writes Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (subscription required).
“This locker room, the culture here, the front office, the city, the organization, the traditions, it’s all something I’ve never been a part of” said George Washburn. “Where everything is of high quality. It’s refreshing to me. I hope I can stay healthy. I think I’ve become a journeyman on this journey (of my career). At this point, I would love to be able to call Boston home.
“My boys and I are fully immersed in this organization. I was more than happy. I’m excited to be here, to be around these guys, it’s like they brought something else out of me that, frankly, was buried, and it’s just a different passion. I have a new love for this game and I just think things are coming together at the right time for me.”
Over the past two years, George has been limited to 78 regular-season games due to injuries and a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy — which he said he took for “mental health issues.” The nine-time All-Star, now in his 17th year in the league, was traded from Philadelphia to Boston over the summer as part of Jaylen Brown blockbuster.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Former lottery pick Devin Carter had a deal on addendum 10 transformed to the bilateral contract on Saturday. The 24-year-old had 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and was a plus-22 in 25 minutes in Boston’s preseason win at Cleveland on Oct. 8, but has since been sidelined with an illness. According to Jay King of The Athletic (Link to Twitter), Carter is still away from the team as he deals with a bout of mononucleosis. Former Kings guard ‘could miss a few more weeks’ tweets Washburn.
- New Sixers forward Brown met with the Celtics on Friday for the first time since the trade, according to Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Boston fielded the starting lineup in both teams’ final exhibition contest before the regular season. Brown, a second-team All-NBA selection last season, was asked how he felt about “taking some of the awkwardness out” of competing against his former team. “I don’t know how to answer that” said Brown.I’ve been playing there for 10 years so it’s never going to be “out of place”, you know what I mean? But it was nice to see some of the young guys. Spent a lot of time with those guys. It’s great to see them develop and improve.” As Mitzel points out, Brown says he’s focused on the present and the future, not the past. “We’re just getting closer every day“, Brown said of the 76ers.”So we just have to keep emphasizing the type of mentality that we want to have — and the accountability that we want to have — and keep moving forward..”
- In case you missed it, the Celtics roster is now at regular season limits after placement Hayden Gray, Milos Uzan, Gabe McGlotton and Tucker DeVries on refusal. All four players who were given non-guaranteed Annex 10 contracts are expected to open the season with Boston’s G-League affiliate in Maine. In addition to having all three of their two-way spots filled, the Celtics currently have 14 players on standard deals; wearing a 15th man will push them over the luxury tax line.