The goal of this Celtics preseason is establishing chemistry for a team that must now rely on its depth and fortitude to overwhelm opponents with only one superstar.
The first two games have exemplified that philosophy. The Celtics are not going to be the same team as in past years, relying on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to spearhead the offense, and at times take turns attempting to score against set defenses in the fourth quarter.
One of the purposes of the Brown trade was to become more versatile and up tempo, giving the supporting cast more freedom and opportunity to make plays.
Saturday’s preseason home opener against the 76ers was filled with potentially significant storylines that never materialized. Brown was inside TD Garden, worked out prior to the game, but watched from the locker room. LeBron James and Joel Embiid sat on the sideline in street clothes. Philadelphia had no intention of teasing any of its strategies against its biggest rival.
Get Court Sense
Keep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly.
Enter Email
Sign Up
The Celtics, meanwhile, gave their first unit their first preseason action and the results were encouraging in their 144-106 win. Paul George, acquired for Brown and expected to fill a key role as a ball-hawk defender and secondary scorer, looked engaged and effective. He collected four first-half steals, using his instinct to read passing lanes and stripping balls loose.
George appeared anxious in his first home game as a Celtic and pressed offensively. But he eventually developed a rhythm and looked comfortable with his new role and increased responsibility.
Related: Jayson Tatum looks fresh in blowout preseason win over 76ers, and other Celtics observations
Tatum played 27 minutes, making four of his 10 3-point attempts. Tatum badly wants to prove he’s a three-level scorer and perhaps relied too much on his 3-point shot in recent seasons. But he is attempting to improve at picking his moments.
In the second quarter, he faced up with the tenacious VJ Edgecombe at the top of the key. Instead of settling for a contested, pull-up three, Tatum attacked the paint, using his size, strength, and savvy to convert a back-handed layup.
Returning last season for 22 games from his Achilles rupture, Tatum was able to overcome the mental hurdles and insecurities from such a devastating injury. The jitters are gone after he spent this summer reaching 100 percent health and 100 percent confidence.
The Celtics want Tatum to rely more on his playmaking skills, sucking in multiple defenders and dishing the ball out to open shooters. He led Boston with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, finishing with a plus-19.
“I thought he had good carryover from what we’re asking him to do on both ends of the floor,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “His defensive activity was good. I thought offensively he had great flow and the ball found him and he was able to create opportunities for him and his teammates. But I thought his cardio looked good, decision making looked good. His activity was good.”
The process of Tatum getting used to a new normal — a reality without Brown, with George reiterating he wants to serve as a complement, not a competitor — is slowly gaining comfort.
“We’ve made strides every day, since like before training camp,” Tatum said. “The things we’re talking about from the first day of training camp, internally, our communication and having each other’s back. Things that we, can be intentional about and focusing on. Obviously, it’s preseason; we’ve got a long way to go, but we can see the strides that we need as a unit.”
Related: LeBron James, Jaylen Brown make 76ers fascinating, and other storylines this NBA season
George was greeted with hugs and handshakes from former teammates Tyrese Maxey, Edgecombe, and Embiid. The narrative from his two years in Philadelphia was that injuries and misfortune prevented him from making the expected impact.
There remains a long journey for George before he reaches full comfort. He was just getting used to his new surroundings. His locker is next to Tatum’s, and the two shared the first of what should be many postgame conversations as they dressed.
In his 25 minutes, George looked far more comfortable defensively. He struggled with his shot at the beginning and responded with a sigh of relief when he made his first basket with 3:44 left in the second quarter. He appeared to be pressing, knowing how important he is to the success of this offense.
Mazzulla has given him a lot of homework the past few weeks and he’s still digesting the information.
“It is like a badge of honor to wear that green,” George said. “I’m still trying to find my way offensively and figuring out the system. It’s been a challenge, a great challenge, and Joe has been extremely helpful and the guys have been extremely helpful in that process. You want to make every [shot] you shoot, but to see one go down finally . . . I’m still finding my way. The fact that I can play preseason and be healthy to start the year is amazing for me. Just building chemistry with these guys.”
It was a positive first step for Tatum and George. It will take time for them to bond and gain comfort in playing together, but both appear eager to make this work.