Tag: Kristaps Porzingis

Power ranking the Boston Celtics roster for the NBA’s 2023-24 season

Ranking season is here, and so is power ranking the Celtics’ roster for next season.

Each NBA offseason, the news cycle tends to dry up as the month of September approaches, with the league’s analysts turning to projecting the order of the league, its players, and even the internal rosters themselves in the yearly exercise we call Ranking Season.

And in just such an exercise, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley revealed his own power ranking of the players on the roster of the new-look Boston Celtics after Boston’s front office elected to shake things up in a big way to kick off the summer. In this power ranking analysis, the 14 players on regular NBA contracts are evaluated based on their abilities, projected production, and overall value to the team.

Let’s see where Buckley rates each member of the team vs. their peers — but you’ll have to check his analysis for the thinking behind them.

Your Boston Celtics nickname guide for the 2023-24 season

Taco Jay? Mookie Dew? Who has the best nickname on the Celtics roster?

With respect to our parents, sometimes in life, our given names fall to the wayside as we grow older. By luck, circumstance, or choice, nicknames can often take center stage and eventually become a part our new identities. This is especially true in sports, where nicknames sometimes help to define a player, and the NBA is no exception.

Some nicknames are obvious and timeless, like “MJ” or “AI”. Others may come about organically but take root quickly like Paul Pierce’s “The Truth” or Kevin Garnett being known as “The Big Ticket.” Still other nicknames are hard-fought and self-enforced, like “Batman” was for Grant Williams.

There are plenty of nicknames to go around when it comes to the 2023-24 Boston Celtics. Some of these will be familiar to fans and really fit the player. If we’re being honest, however, some of the player nicknames on this Celtics team may be a little surprising or need an update. Let’s hop in and sort out what’s what.

Did the Boston Celtics trade for Kristaps Porzingis to beat the Denver Nuggets?

There’s been speculation the move might have been influenced by the Nuggets ascent in recent seasons.

The Boston Celtics’ recent trade for Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis has sparked discussion about whether this move is intended to counter the Denver Nuggets’ dynamic trio of Michael Porter, Jr., Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.

The Celtics have historically given the Nuggets a tough time, thanks to players such as Al Horford who could effectively guard Jokic. However, a significant shift occurred when Denver overcame the Celtics in a game marred by a 45-minute rim delay.

Porzingis brings both offensive firepower and defensive capabilities to the Celtics. His shooting and post-up skills offer promise. However, there are concerns about his ability to defend against bigger players such as Jokic because he lacks the physicality of a traditional center.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast sat down to talk over what the long-term vision of the Porzingis trade entails with regard to the reigning champs in the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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WNBA star Candace Parker on the Boston Celtics trading Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis

“I don’t think you could have come back with the same core,” said Parker.

In a new interview with Sports Illustrated’s Bobby Krivitsky, seven-time All-WNBA first-team star Candace Parker offers insights on the Boston Celtics’ recent roster changes.

For many fans and analysts, trading Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis was a risky move. But Parker sees the wisdom in Boston’s front office trying something new.

“Sometimes, in championship pursuit, there are some things that are unpopular decisions but much needed,” she explained. “I don’t think you could have come back with the same core. You needed to keep Jaylen, (you) needed to keep Jayson, and I think the Celtics have struggled from that four or five position in the playoffs.

“Anytime (that) you’re able to have somebody like Kristaps, who is able to step out and knock down the 3, I think it will give more space to an offense that already creates and makes you make choices.

“So, I personally like it on the offensive end,” offered Parker. “I think it’s to be determined defensively because I think that’s where they’ll miss Marcus Smart the most.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis among CBS Sports’ highest risers in 2023-24 top 100 NBA player list

“(Porzingis’) 37-spot jump in our Top 100 list is in part due to last season’s success,” writes CBS Sports.

The annual CBS Sports top 100 NBA player ranking has been unveiled, prompting a closer look at the changes from the previous year’s list by the folks who put it together.

New Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is one of the list’s top risers, per a recent article by CBS Sports’ Jasmine Wimbish — third overall, in fact.

“(Porzingis’) 37-spot jump in our Top 100 list is in part due to last season’s success … which included playing in 60+ games for the first time since his second year in the league, and potential he has on a loaded Celtics team this upcoming season,” writes Wimbish.

“While it’ll be Porzingis’ fourth team in his nine-year career, he’s bounced around from team to team primarily because of his injury history, which has kept him sidelined for large chunks of time.”

“When he’s actually on the floor, he’s an efficient scorer, can spread the floor to make even the best defense’s work a little extra, and can be a shot-blocking presence on the other end,” they added.

“While he’ll have to acclimate to a new Celtics team that already bolsters two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, it’ll be the best team he’s ever played on. His stats might dip, but he can be the X-factor on a Boston team that can use an additional playmaker outside of the two All-Star wings.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Are people undervaluing what Kristaps Porzingis can bring to the Boston Celtics?

Many seem to be fixated on his injury history, overlooking his significant potential to contribute to the team.

The addition of star Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics this offseason is generating less excitement and attention than it deserves according to some NBA analysts.

Porzingis, a 7-foot-3 forward and center, averaged an impressive 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc.

However, many seem fixated on his injury history, overlooking his significant potential to contribute to the team. This was the topic of conversation on a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Celtics Beat” podcast between host Evan Valenti and guest Jack Simone of Celtics Blog fame.

Are people undervaluing what Porzingis can bring to the Celtics?

Take a look at the clip embedded above to find out if they think this is the case.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Six Boston Celtics make the cut for CBS Sports’ top 100 NBA players for 2023-24

A half dozen Boston players are among the 100 best in the NBA, per CBS Sports.

In the spirit of #RankingSeason, that time of the NBA league calendar devoid of news but rich with projections of players, teams, and anything else that can be ranked for the season ahead, CBS Sports has released its annual list of the top 100 NBA players for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

This exercise focuses on projected future performance rather than past achievements, so it might raise an eyebrow among those fans of the Boston Celtics weighing past achievements more heavily. The rankings were determined by CBS Sports’ eight NBA staff writers, with each writer submitting their individual list of the top 100 players, and point values assigned based on their rankings.

Let’s dive into which Celtics players made the cut — and where.

How do the Boston Celtics see their assessments changed by Bleacher Report’s fan rankings?

To involve their readers, B/R had them vote on various player matchups, creating their own top 100 list vs. the staff list.

Bleacher Report recently released its annual preseason player rankings, and these rankings sparked significant discussion and debate among readers and analysts as they are designed to do in the depths of the annual NBA #RankingSeason.

To involve their readers, B/R had them vote on various player matchups, creating their own top 100 list for the upcoming season as an output. Many of the players stayed in largely the same place, while others have diverged considerably from the official ranking exercise. The Boston Celtics have a number of players listed in this top 100 ranking exercise as well after logging six players from their 2023-24 roster on the official B/R top 100.

Let’s take a look at where Boston’s players landed in this exercise in the first number in the heading — and how they differ from the official top 100 in the second.

Six Boston Celtics make Bleacher Report’s top 100 NBA players

That one of the players has cracked the top 10 is notable, even if the player who did it — All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum — is no mystery. But what about the rest?

Not one to be left out of the annual offseason stretch that has become the NBA’s yearly ranking season, Bleacher Report released its top 100 NBA players list for the 2023-24 season. It features an impressive six Boston Celtics players.

The players who made the cut are, by and large, no major surprise given the general consensus the Celtics are one of the best teams in the Association. That one of the players has cracked the top 10 is notable, even if the player who did it — All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum — is no mystery to even casual fans. But what about the rest?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast talked over Boston’s outstanding showing in B/R’s annual contribution to #RankingSeason.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear where Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon and Al Horford came in, and what they think of that assessment.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Charles Barkley is a fan of the Kristaps Porzingis trade for the Boston Celtics

The Round Mound of Rebound related that he is actually a fan of the move for Boston.

The Boston Celtics made a major roster move by trading their longest-tenured player, veteran point guard Marcus Smart, for Washington Wizards star big man Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team deal.

Smart had been with the team for nine seasons, consistently helping it reach the playoffs and serving as the club’s emotional fulcrum. This move represents a gamble for the Celtics, and it caused no small eruption of criticism from fans of the team and analysts — but Hall of Fame big man Charles Barkley is not among them.

Speaking in a recent appearance on the eponymous “Bill Simmons” podcast (h/t Sports Illustrated’s Bobby Krivitsky), the Round Mound of Rebound related he is a fan of the move for Boston.

“I think it’s worth the gamble,” he suggested. “He doesn’t have to be your best player. He doesn’t have to be your second-best player.”

The Porzingis deal is not the only change made in the Celtics’ offseason. Key hires of Sam Cassell and Charles Lee, regarded as top assistant coaches in the NBA, also bolstered the team’s coaching staff. Barkley suggests these additions and Boston’s other moves boost the team’s title odds.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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