Paul George’s Real Value To Boston Isn’t Scoring It’s This

David Butler II-Imagn ImagesThe Celtics need Paul George most when Jayson Tatum rests. It is that simple. The team wins games when George stabilizes the floor, but they struggle without him. The numbers from Tuesday night’s split show this clearly. Boston held a slim lead when Tatum sat, yet the team faded against Houston. The gap in performance is wide, and it centers on one player’s ability to handle the load.The Minutes That Matter MostLook at the game against the Orlando Magic. Tatum played the entire third quarter, and the team stayed close. When he finally subbed out, the lead grew. Paul George stepped in and took charge. He scored seven of Boston’s 20 points during that critical stretch. With a steal, an assist, and two rebounds secured, he took action. This two-way play kept the game alive. According to Hardwood Houdini, George recorded 2 blocks, 2 steals, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 17 points across the entire game.George knows his job is to make the game easy for Tatum. He does not need to be the main option. Following the victory, the 16-year veteran stated “I do take those minutes very important,” He added, “He’s doing a lot. So, if I can make it easy for him, and he doesn’t have to press when he comes back in, ultimately, I’m trying to win those minutes for him.” This mindset is the missing piece for Boston. Without it, the team collapses.A Shift in Role That WorksGeorge has changed how he plays to fit this team. He is no longer the guy who shoots every ball. LeBron James praised this shift on a recent podcast. “I don’t think we have that enough in sports, actually. Or in life,” James said about George’s self-awareness. He noted that George knows he does not need to be the primary scorer to win. “That’s commendable to anybody. Shout out PG for that, for sure.” This honesty from a future Hall of Famer speaks volumes.The stats back up the change in role. George ranks as Boston’s second-highest scorer at 20.7 points per game after six contests. He also averages 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.3 steals. Yahoo Sports noted he ranks fourth in the NBA in deflections. At 36, he is embracing a role that lets him contribute without being the focal point. The Rockets game proved what happens when he sits. Deep attempts fell below 30 percent while field goal shooting remained under 40 percent for the squad.