What If the Boston Celtics Drafted Paul George in 2010?
What If the Boston Celtics Drafted Paul George in 2010?
By Arslan Saleem August 08, 2024 23:46
The 2010 NBA Draft is mostly remembered for its upside and riches of talent. Indiana used one of the greatest players: Paul George, who went 10th to the Pacers. Thinking about what might have happened had the Boston Celtics drafted Paul George where they did in 2010 instead of selecting the player who got to them at no; we can look back and project how this decision could impact future decisions within the said franchise, the chemistry among teammates once joining teams, or potentially much more for the all-things NBA landscape.
Career Accolades of Paul George
When he landed in the NBA, Paul George was a young, highly touted prospect coming out of Fresno State. In a very short time prior to this, he had already proven that he had been viewed as someone known for his versatility within the game, athleticism, and defensive acumen. George could show the full range of his scoring, rebounding, and defense ability early in his career as he became one of the most valuable two-way players on either side.
Early Impact
George averaged 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in his rookie season (2010-2011). But it was the ensuing seasons where he blossomed. He reached the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in 2012-13 and earned the NBA Most Improved Player Award after averaging career-highs of 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds per game, and four assists. His shooting and the ability to guard big-time players made him a building block for the success Indiana would achieve, including multiple playoff appearances and an Eastern Conference Finals trip in 2013.
How He Would Fit on the Celtics Roster and System:
The Boston Celtics were at a crossroads in their franchise history. They were one of the true blue-blood teams from decades ago. The team was fresh off a stint in the NBA Finals earlier that same year, which they'd lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. From there, they needed youth and athleticism to upgrade around their aging stars: Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett.
Skillset and Playing Style
George's game could have easily fit into the C's system. His ability to shoot from long range—he shot 38% on threes in his early years—would have given Celtics big men, especially Garnett, extra space, something that could be used frequently with the KG pick-and-pop. George also would have lessened the defensive load on Pierce and Allen, as he is more than capable of holding his own against anyone's best perimeter player.
Team Dynamics
Adding George would have significantly altered the balance of Boston's roster. George's arrival would have enabled the Celtics to move on from some of their older stars rather than relying heavily upon them. This move may have extended the Celtics' competitive window, keeping this team as a contender while grooming talented new faces.
Potential Championships
The Celtics would have been a better-balanced team with George on the roster, which could theoretically lead to more deep playoff runs. The 2011 playoff run came to an end in the second round at the hands of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh's Miami Heat. George's defensive abilities might have been enough to change the outcome of one or two series against Miami's Big 3, too.
Boston could have become that perennial Eastern Conference powerhouse if they kept George in the fold over the next few seasons while he blossomed into an All-Star. George would have formed a nice fit alongside the existing core at that time of Pierce, Garnett, and Allen to make them championship contenders.
Free-agent Additions and Roster Moves
Changes in Strategy
Having George in the fold would have made it far easier for Ainge to ignore players like Ray Allen, who was signed by Boston in 2005 but is approaching his twilight years as a player in 2012. That way, the Celtics could have bolstered for youth and paired George with up-and-coming talent.
Draft Decisions
It's a move that would have also altered the Celtic's drafting approach. Rather than looking for guys that would immediately make an impact, they could have searched for more disciplined players to mature with George. It might have created a more sustainable roster mixed in youth with the experience required to keep Boston competitive deep into the next decade.
How It Affects the Eastern Conference and NBA Landscape
Selecting Paul George meant more than just selecting someone for the Celtics. These decisions would have had massive ramifications on the Eastern Conference and the entire NBA.
Shifting Power Dynamics
The trajectory of other franchises, and more specifically, the Miami Heat, would indeed have been altered had George turned the Celtics into an elite force in the East. The Heat were clearly the best in the East during those times, but a better Celtics could have eliminated them, leading to changed playoff match-ups and results.
Influence on Other Teams
In addition, the Celtics' success with George likely altered other teams' strategies during draft night and possibly free agency. That would have meant teams paid more for versatile but ultimately less talented players who could play well on both sides of the floor because they knew how much one player like George.
Paul George hypothetically being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2010 is rarely discussed but would be a very interesting scenario. George has shown that kind of talent and potential on a Pacers team in the Eastern Conference, where it's plain he could have been not just another late-20s star chasing relevance but also an extension for their championship window while altering dynamics behind Thomas.
Although the results are all strictly hypothetical, one thing is for sure: had Paul George landed in Boston, it would have radically changed the trajectory of what happened with the Celtics after 2010 and finally brought new life to a franchise that looked poised on winning multiple championships.
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