Kristaps Porzingis quickly proved that the tide was rising and lifting all boats for the Boston Celtics.He stepped up their offense at crucial times, helping Jaylen Brown develop as a facilitator, protecting the rim, punishing transitions and giving them more options offensively.
And it’s not that he deserves all the credit, but of all the five-man lineups that have played at least ten games together, Boston’s starting lineup of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Porzingis has by far the highest upside.
minus rating at plus-9.7 according to NBA.com.And at 15-5, the Celtics have the second-best record in the NBA. After a four-game absence due to left calf strain, Porzingis is expected to return to the lineup for Friday’s game against the New York Knicks. The former All-Star joined J.J. Redick, with whom he worked briefly with the Dallas Mavericks, appeared on the latter’s show, The Old Man & the Three, where the two discussed a wide range of topics, including what the downtown experience was like 7 footer with the Celtics. distant.“Honestly, it was amazing,” Porzingis said.
“The fans welcomed me here with open arms from day one. Joe (Mazzulla) was amazing. Playing at TD Garden is special. What else can I ask for? Playing with guys like this, players of this caliber, is a perfect scenario.””It’s huge.
Obviously, I think it’s a big challenge to be in this type of market and potentially get far in the playoffs with this type of team. Big challenge. Big responsibility.” But it’s a risk I wanted. I want to take it and I want to possibly do something big. And everyone likes a winner, so I want to win.”The former fourth overall pick also clarified that he didn’t realize how good Derrick White was until she worked with him, citing the following anecdote from a recent meeting with Mazzulla.
“We had a meeting the other day, and Joe always has those team development things that we do, and we had to say one thing you like about your teammates, one thing that drives you crazy, and a few other things” And I said against D. White, I said, what I like about you is the way you always make the right play for us, and that’s why I stick with you, and I think we all ask you to respect standards so high it drives us crazy if you do it.
He’s so good. He always makes the right play and the right read, that’s what I always expect from him.As for superstar teammate Jayson Tatum, the Latvia native praised the two-time All-NBA first-team selection for his approach to the game and demeanor and told Redick that the four-time All-Star has the right character to be the ‘one of the main teams to win a title.“One thing I like about him is how stoic he always is,” Porzingis said.
“It’s never too high (nor) too low. His emotions are under control. He’s also the type of guy who always tries to make the right play. And often he is the one who attacks, obviously he shoots at us.”He has the right character to play (and) to lead a team that wins everything. He has it. And so far, from what I’ve seen, he’s very good in the locker room, very good with everyone in the organization.” , and he has the right character.”
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