'Going to be special': Celtics' Paul George unveils lofty Jayson Tatum expectations

Nairavoice | Oct 12, 2026 2h ago 160 0 4 min read

a45c477abe5d151e97e17d2cbffb83c4 'Going to be special': Celtics' Paul George unveils lofty Jayson Tatum expectations

‘Going to be special’: Celtics’ Paul George unveils lofty Jayson Tatum expectations originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Egos usually clash when a veteran superstar has to make way for a younger star. Many teams have cracked under even slight pressure during the regular season and NBA Playoffs because of this. These worries do not look like they will surface for the Boston Celtics. In Coach Joe Mazzulla’s system, Jayson Tatum is generally understood to be the primary star after Jaylen Brown got traded. How does Paul George feel about this? He fully buys into that belief to make a title run possible. The veteran even outlined big expectations for their All-NBA superstar.

Celtics’ George proclaims Tatum will be ‘special’ for 2026-27 NBA season

For a long time, it was a debate over whose team the Celtics were. Some argued Jaylen Brown was the primary star; others said the same about Jayson Tatum. Entering the 2026-27 NBA season, the answer is clear. Coach Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens have shifted schemes alongside roster construction to highlight Tatum’s production. But Paul George is still a star, right? That still seems to be the case, but the star, in his 17th year in the NBA, has accepted he’ll take a supporting role.

George knows Coach Mazzulla and the rest of the Celtics will have to do everything they can to help Tatum raise their production floors. He even said great things are ahead for Tatum in the 2026-27 NBA season, via Jay King of The Athletic.

“My job is to try to make this as easy as possible for him. He’s going to be special. You know what I mean? He’s going to be special. He knows how to make plays. He knows how to get his own shot. But if my aggression takes the pressure off him, and if I can find ways to steal extra possessions defensively or get him some easy baskets, that’s what I’m on that floor to do,” George declared about Tatum.

Those flashes of being ‘special’ were already on display during Tatum and George’s first NBA Preseason game together against the 76ers. Coach Mazzulla made the Celtics’ five-time All-NBA selection play a team-high 27 minutes. In that time, he scored 23 points, shooting 47.4% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Tatum also notched five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. His ball-handling was elite as the 76ers forced him to commit only one turnover.

Jayson Tatum: 23 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 9/19 FG, 4/10 3FG, 60 TS% vs 76ers (10/10/26) Full offseason to work on his game after the injury. He’s going to be special this season. https://t.co/mAPYPbhdwi
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) October 11, 2026

George was crucial in freeing Tatum to get to his spots and in producing solid numbers for the Celtics. In 25 minutes, the veteran recorded 13 points on 30% shooting, five rebounds, and four assists. He has plenty to improve with his perimeter shooting and ball-handling, as shown by his 28.6% from three and three turnovers. But those issues will likely get fixed as he acclimates to Coach Mazzulla’s Celtics system. What matters is that his gravity takes a lot of pressure off Tatum’s shoulders, allowing their offense to thrive.

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It remains a question what ‘special’ thing George is talking about when referring to Tatum. But it’s not far-fetched to think the Celtics will get an NBA MVP in the 2026-27 season.