Celtics' Paul George Quiets All Boston Haters With Simple Comment originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No matter what the haters say, wearing a Boston Celtics jersey is an honor for NBA players.
Even longtime veterans who do so late in their careers understand what it means to play for Boston, arguably the most storied franchise in NBA history and in sports history. And that's certainly been the case over the past couple of years. In this era of NBA parity, the Celtics might not win a ring every year, but no other team in the league is, and no other team in basketball has been as consistent as this squad.
For newly acquired veteran Paul George, who was dealt in the trade that sent Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, playing in Boston is an honor.
He recently spoke about it, adding that it makes guys want to play harder and that it's an honor to wear the jersey.
"It was amazing — it's everything you feel as an opponent with that energy, that excitement, that passion, to then be on the good side of things," George said, per Celtics Blog.
"It's electric; it definitely fuels you, makes you play hard; it makes you want to win for everyone in that arena. And, it is like a badge of honor to wear that green."
Hearing George, entering his 17th year in the NBA, say this shows what it means to play in Boston. This could also be a shot at the 76ers, as things didn't work out for him there.
As for the other places George has played, there's no debate that the Celtics are the most storied franchise of the bunch. He's also played for the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers.