By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Moving to the Boston Celtics for the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, Kristaps Porzingis caught a lot of people’s attention, emerging as one of the most interesting European players to watch among big men, joining an elite club with guys like Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Alperen Sengun, and more.
Interviewed by local media – as reported by Bobby Manning -, Brad Stevens spoke about his parenthesis with Boston so far. “People get caught with whatever a guy is from the time he’s from 19 to 22, and they keep that as bio forever. You gotta watch out people improve and get better, you kinda see that in time over Washington. He’s even improved and taken a step this year. He can still get a lot better”, the Celtics‘ president of basketball operations first said about Kristaps Porzingis.
Since his arrival to Boston, the Latvian has been getting better and better, making defensive adjustements. “We’re asking him to a lot of things, specifically on the defensive end that he’s not used to. His continued growth and ascension is gonna be important for our team”, he touched on how he can help Joe Mazzulla’s team improve even more. “But he’s been great, obviously. He’s pretty special and pretty unique”, the former Boston Celtics head coach added.
After playing for the Washington Wizards from 2021 to 2023, the Latvian power forward moved to the Boston Celtics in the summer. He’s now averaging 20.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in the NBA Regular Season after not making it to the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Luca Banchi’s team.
Starting his professional career in ACB with Sevilla (2012-15), he was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 4th overall pick in the 2015 Draft. He stayed at the Madison Square Garden until 2019, when he joined Luka Doncic in Dallas. He played with the Mavericks for three seasons before moving to Washington.
Talked to multiple #Celtics about Porzingis’ impact this season at practice today and they all mentioned defense first. Brad Stevens: “We’re asking him to do a lot of things, specifically on the defensive end, that he’s not used to … but he’s been great.”
Full:… pic.twitter.com/R6nntEYhkh
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) January 5, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images