June 21 was a bittersweet second for C’s followers. Having resurrected his profession in Washington, eight-year veteran huge man Kristaps Porzingis was acquired by the Celtics in a three-team deal, together with the alternate of Marcus Good. The deal signaled a Celtics roster overhaul, an indication that Brad Stevens is in “win now mode.” However in August, Porzingis was identified with plantar fasciitis in his proper foot, excluding him from taking part in within the FIBA World Cup.
Celtics followers, relaxation assured that the rumors swirling round newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis have been laid to relaxation.
On Monday afternoon, Porzingis was all smiles, elaborating on his current foot damage and couldn’t have appeared happier doing so. In his first Media Day in Beantown, No. 8 addressed the euphoria of arriving in Boston, and his objectives for this upcoming season.
Porzingis blames his previous damage on his sneakers
Right this moment, we realized an essential idea in relation to basketball: It’s essential to put on the appropriate sneakers. Porzingis is wholesome, and he’s completely able to roll for coaching camp. The newly acquired star acknowledged his foot ache began in the summertime after merely sporting the unsuitable sneakers.
“I believe it began as a result of I modified sneakers in the summertime,” Porzingis mentioned. “I believe that’s what sort of bought the foot a bit delicate. I didn’t pay an excessive amount of consideration to it, and I sort of stored figuring out, stored taking part in as a result of the coaching camp was about to begin for our nationwide workforce.”
Regardless of “feeling good” and in nice form, the medical workers suggested Porzingis to relaxation for a couple of days forward of the FIBA World Cup. Finally, Kristaps acknowledged “his foot was a bit bit bothering” him, and with a couple of days relaxation, he “couldn’t get a lot progress in such a short while.” Realizing the NBA season begins in October, he acknowledged the “smart move was to sit down out and ensure the foot really will get to get well earlier than the beginning of the season.”
Initially from Latvia, the 7-foot 3 huge man received the EuroCup Rising Star Award again in 2015. Chosen fourth total by the New York Knicks, Porzingis was the very best drafted Latvian in NBA historical past at the moment. Prideful of his nation, Porzingis declared the choice to sit down out for his nationwide workforce “actually harm his soul.”
“I do know it might not appear for you guys, but it surely was such a giant deal for me not to have the ability to play for my nation in a World Cup,” Porzingis mentioned. “It was a extremely, actually robust resolution. I knew it was the appropriate resolution. I’m glad I made that robust resolution that second, and now I’m 100% to begin the season.”
Final season, Porzingis performed 65 video games for the Wizards, which was essentially the most because the 2016-2017 season. He regained his sturdiness, in addition to energy in Washington. “I positively consider that I’m in the appropriate time in my profession,” Porzingis acknowledged Monday afternoon. “As I’m sort of entering into my prime at this age, my physique is rather more mature than it was once I was twenty years previous. I at all times understand that the accidents that I had are all contact accidents. I at all times stored that in thoughts, and labored in the direction of getting again to being wholesome, and final season was a very good instance.”
Kristaps Porzingis admitted he “may’ve performed 70-plus video games final season,” and missed video games resulting from sickness, and never damage.
The Heart averaged a profession excessive 23.2 factors, 0.9 steals, 1.5 blocks, 8.4 rebounds, and a pair of.7 assists. Beginning all 65 video games, he shot 38.5 p.c from lengthy vary, and a profession finest 49.8 p.c from the sphere. In season’s previous, Porzingis was dealt important accidents, together with a left ACL tear, a lateral meniscus tear, and accidents to his Achilles tendon.
The Unicorn is ecstatic to be in Boston
The previous #4 draft decide by no means had the possibility to stay as much as the hype in New York. After stints with the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards, Kristaps Porzingis lastly feels he made the appropriate resolution.
“It’s been going nice and I’m excited,” Porzingis expressed. “The power is nice right here. Clearly, all of us perceive that now we have a purpose, everyone seems to be introduced in right here for a purpose. Simply the considered that itself, I believe it simply offers further motivation.”
The Boston Celtics are a storied group, with excessive expectations from the highest down. The C’s are tied with the Lakers with essentially the most championships (17) in NBA historical past. Kristaps in contrast the Celtics to different organizations he’s performed with previously.
“I believe from the highest down, simply top-notch professionals. Everybody appears like they’re valued within the group and everybody’s at all times giving their all and their finest. You’ll be able to really feel that, you already know, I believe all people feels good being in this sort of atmosphere. This atmosphere brings one of the best out of individuals,” mentioned Porzingis.
Only a member of the Celtics for a couple of months, Porzingis feels town of Boston “has welcomed him with open arms,” and that he already “loves town and the group.”
No. 8 has a successful mentality
Shortly after Boston acquired Kristaps Porzingis, Brad Stevens signed him to a multi-year extension by the 2025-2026 season to a hometown low cost. In eight seasons, the large man solely had two playoff appearances, each with the Dallas Mavericks. Following the commerce, Porzingis selected to stick with Boston for one easy purpose: he needs to win an NBA championship.
The Celtics haven’t been capable of carry residence the Larry O’Brien trophy since 2008. With a surprising restructuring of the roster, No. 8 is now an important a part of this championship contending workforce. He was clear on his alternatives following his revival in Washington, and the significance of signing with Boston.
“I’ve been across the league a bit bit, and on the finish, what issues is successful,” mentioned Porzingis. “I had totally different alternatives to go elsewhere and perhaps having an even bigger position, and perhaps even earn more money, however I wished to return right here. I wished to return to Boston simply due to the chance to play in such an iconic group with nice gamers. Hopefully I can are available right here and convey extra to that. The concept of that itself — I didn’t want to listen to the rest.”
His protection is far wanted for the C’s
Porzingis additionally expressed his need to play robust on each side of the ball. “I believe what has went below the radar a bit bit was one of these defensive season I had final yr,” Porzingis advised the press. “I took lots of delight, and bouncing again from years I wasn’t nearly as good defensively due to various things and accidents.”
After an ideal defensive season in Washington, he appears ahead to bringing his defensive prowess to a “greater degree” in Boston. Final season, the large man was eighth total in blocks per sport, and 18th in defensive rebounds. Boston, a company who prides themselves on protection, have been ranked second final yr in defensive ranking. Porzingis was top-5 in decide and roll protection, and may add a spark to a Celtics lineup, who parted methods with Marcus Good, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams III.
“Protection has at all times been the DNA right here for the Celtics,” mentioned coach Joe Mazzulla. “We’ve been top-5, top-3, virtually yearly since I’ve been right here. now we have the power to play small, now we have the power to play huge, Kristaps [Porzingis] will give us some extra rim safety. He’s a bit bit higher of a defender than individuals assume he’s — very underrated. I believe that may take some stress off Al [Horford].”
