PG13 Is Back: Paul George's Celtics Career Is Off To A FANTASTIC Start After Switching His Jersey Number Back To #13

Maddie Meyer. Getty Images.

Now that the dust has settled and the Jaylen Brown/Paul George trade is official, I suppose this is where we turn the page. There's no turning back, and all we can do is take a step forward into this new world, hope for the best, and bank on the belief that Brad Stevens knows what the fuck he's doing. 

With the paperwork sorted out and the new league year starting, the first order of business in a situation like this is the jersey number. I would argue it's one of the most important factors in someone's Celtics career. Roll your eyes all you want, but a Celtic getting a "real" number is a big deal. There aren't too many of those lying around when it comes to this franchise, so when you get a good one, it matters. That may sound insane to some, but it's something I've believed my entire life and will continue to believe until the day I die. The jersey number is an important box to check for any newcomer, especially one that was on the other end of the trade including a former franchise player.

When it came to George's current #8, that was technically on the table. John Tonje wore it when he joined the roster for the stretch run, but they did not retain him this summer. That meant #8 was available should George want to keep things what they were in Philly. In terms of being a "real" number, #8 obviously qualifies. Had that been the choice, it comes with mixed reviews. My initial fear with that selection has a lot to do with the fact that I wasn't sure I wanted an injury prone player to be wearing this number. When we look back at Celts history and #8, it has some red flags: Kristaps Porzingis, Kemba Walker, Jeff Green etc

For those at home, that's a mystery illness/one in a billion ankle injury, a cooked knee, and a heart condition.

Giphy Images.

If #8 wasn't going to be the choice, where would he end up? Again, there aren't a ton of numbers out there to choose from, Mitchell Robinson took #4 (also a good sign), Mike Conley took #44 (shoutout Rob), so where would Paul George land?

Giphy Images.

Advertisement

HUGE NEWS.

First off, imagine being Ron Harper Jr this summer? Not only did you just sign a 4 year extension (with a raise), not only did the team just trade away a wing which opens up the door for your role to expand, but you also just made a nice chunk of cash to give up your #13 for the betterment of the team. Not a bad last few weeks for Ron Harper Jr, and frankly he deserves it all.

In terms of Paul George? As I said, huge news. PG13 being back rules for a few reasons. As a blogger, I am very happy I can just use PG13 now. Every time I wrote out Paul George, in my head I wished I could just say PG13 but it didn't feel right as he no longer wore #13. So that being back is a big time win for yours truly and really off of us if we're being honest. Being able to say PG13 improves the overall experience.

From the basketball side? Let me remind you what Paul George looked like the last time he wore #13 (2023-24)

- 74 games played

- 22/5/3 on 47/41% splits and a 61% TS% 

- All Star 

We also can't ignore the fact that a player kind of sucking while being a Sixer may just be a Sixer thing. Let's not forget Al Horford went from looking great as a Celtic, to a basketball terrorist as a Sixer, and then back to looking like a God while helping the Celtics win a title. That happened. If we're to be giving Paul George a fresh start, then getting PG13 is a huge step in the right direction. That guy was pretty awesome AND he was available (if you only focus on his final season wearing #13). If we can get 70-80% of that guy as a 3rd option within this offense? I'll take it. Remember, he's also getting the Tatum Boost which should factor into his Celtics career as well. If you're curious how powerful something like that is, Luke Kornet was given $40M American dollars because of what he did playing next to Tatum.

Now, can I admit that there's a strong level of cope in this blog? You bet your goddamn ass there is. But you know what? What's done is done. I can't change the situation, so all I can do is look for ways to be positive about it and will a good outcome into existence. It's the least I can do. I understand the ways Paul George can thrive next to Tatum as an off ball shooter who can score in isolation while also running off screens and pindowns. He's more than just a spot up shooter even if his rim pressure is dogshit now in his elder age. Add in some improved off ball defense, and there's a world where it works on the court. PG13 wearing #13 only enhances those odds as far as I'm concerned.

In the end, he avoided staying with a number that has brutal Celtics injury history AND he chose a number that in theory should trick his body into thinking it's 2024. That seems like it's a win no matter how you slice it and you know what?

Advertisement