[Saba Sports News] The Boston Celtics updated their social media accounts recently, posting photos of Paul George arriving at the team’s practice facility alongside his family. In the pictures, George holds up the Celtics’ No.13 jersey. Early in his career with the Indiana Pacers, George wore No.24. After suffering a devastating leg injury, he switched to No.13, a number he carried through stints with the Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers. Upon joining the Philadelphia 76ers, he could not keep No.13 since the franchise had retired the number in honor of Wilt Chamberlain, so he opted for No.8 instead. After finalizing his move to Boston, George locked in his jersey number for the Celtics: he will abandon the No.8 he wore in Philadelphia and revert to No.13, the most iconic digit of his career and the origin of his “PG-13” nickname. He is widely expected to be the most talented player ever to sport No.13 in Celtics franchise history. Twenty-six players have previously worn No.13 for Boston, and George becomes the 27th. Delonte West holds the record for the longest tenure as the Celtics’ No.13. Ron Harper Jr., who currently wears No.13 on the roster, will switch to a new number to make way for George.
The editor believes that the No.13 jersey hasn’t carried much luck throughout Celtics franchise history, and Paul George will look to change the fortunes of Boston’s green No.13 uniform.