Tag: Kristaps Porzingis

Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla introduce Kristaps Porzingis as a Boston Celtic

The new Celtics center opened up about the process of becoming a member of the team; Stevens and Mazzulla weighed in on many of the finer details of the trade as well.

The media got their first look at star big man Kristaps Porzingis as a Boston Celtics player on Thursday afternoon, with the Latvian center also joined by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla.

The new Celtics center opened up about the process of becoming a member of the team as the deal bringing him to Boston from the Washington Wizards shifted from a deal sending Malcolm Brogdon to the Los Angeles Clippers to the completed version sending Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, as well as his fit on the team and expectations.

Stevens and Mazzulla weighed in on many of the finer details of the trade as well.

Reassessing the Boston Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis – Marcus Smart trade

After the dust settled, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Bob Ryan, Jeff Goodman, and Gary Tanguay” podcast discussed their thoughts after reassessing the deal.

After the dust settled following the trade for Washington Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis that sent veteran point guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies after nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Bob Ryan, Jeff Goodman, and Gary Tanguay” podcast discussed their thoughts after reassessing the deal.

Ryan walks back some of his initial sharp criticisms about Porzingis and talks about his fit with the team and admits that he feels better about the deal after doing his homework on the Latvian center. The crew also discussed what Boston got from dealing away Smart, and what they’ll miss about the Flower Mound native after sending him to Memphis.

With free agency looming on the horizon, what other moves could the Celtics make with their roster?

Check out the clip embedded above as they discuss all of that and more, including the outcome of the 2023 NBA draft.

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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Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis to lead Latvia’s first FIBA World Cup effort

Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is set to represent Latvia in country’s first FIBA World Cup campaign.

The country of Latvia is headed to its first-ever FIBA World Cup appearance, and new Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis will soon be leading the charge for his native country when play tips off this August. Latvia will join a field of Canada, Lebanon, and France in Group H as part of the Jakarta phase.

Porzingis is a key player for the Latvian team as the most accomplished of his countrymen in the NBA, contributing 25.5 points per game to go with 14.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per contest during the qualifying period. The 27-year-old was thrilled when his team officially qualified for the 2023 FIBA World Cup last year.

“It’s when I most enjoy playing basketball, when it’s with the national team,” Porzingis said, “It’s going to be a great experience for everyone, not just me, the team, but our families and fans. It’s going to be spectacular.”

Nick Wright dislikes the Marcus Smart – Kristaps Porzingis trade for both sides

Was this a mistake for everyone involved?

Earlier in the week, the Boston Celtics acquired Kristaps Porzingis and sent the Grizzlies Marcus Smart in a trade, with many fans of the Celtics nonplussed about losing Smart. But in at least some corners, some analysts are saying that the trade may not benefit the Grizzlies given they gave up two first-round picks and Tyus Jones for Smart.

Porzingis’ potential departure after one year could put the Celtics in a challenging position as well should the team be unable to secure an extension, and Boston now has guard depth concerns. The trade could help the Celtics match up better vs. teams with big players, but concerns about Porzingis’ injury history persist.

These are just some of the issues the host of the “What’s Wright?” podcast Nick Wright brought up after news of the deal broke.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what other issues he had with the deal.

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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Did the Celtics get away with highway robbery in trading for Kristaps Porzingis?

Some analysts believe the Kristaps Porzingis trade was home run for the Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics didn’t take long to pivot from their disappointing Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, opting to trade for former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis ahead of the 2023 NBA offseason. The deal may have cost Boston its veteran leader in Marcus Smart, but by some accounts, the Celtics are a lot more potent following the move.

Porzingis is one of the most unique talents in professional basketball. The 27-year-old Latvian big man combines strong defensive instincts with dynamic scoring output. He can shoot the 3-ball just as comfortably as he can ring the bell with a dunk, and just as swat an opposing shot on the other end. Injury concerns notwithstanding, Porzingis is a special player.

Boston all landed a bit of draft capital in the deal, sweetening the pot further. By some estimates, the Kristaps Porzingis trade was a home run for the Celtics. For more, check out why the folks at the And One Hoops YouTube channel think the Boston Celtics Kristaps Porzingis trade was nothing short of highway robbery.

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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How the Boston Celtics just got a lot more dangerous

While there is more work to do on this roster, the offensive potential is not minor.

The Boston Celtics made an unexpected trade ahead of the 2023 NBA draft, acquiring 27-year-old big man Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal.

Some fans have mixed emotions about giving up Marcus Smart in the swap. He was the team’s heart and soul and its longest-tenured player. But the trade addressed the Celtics’ need for an interior scorer and adds versatility to their lineup.

Porzingis brings elite post scoring skills, ranking fourth in the league in points per post-up, and can dominate inside the paint. His ability to finish through contact and shoot fadeaways makes him a difficult player to defend. He is an underrated passer, with improved playmaking skills and driven kicks to the corner. Defensively, he provides shot-blocking, length and pick-and-roll defense, adding flexibility to Boston’s defensive schemes.

To hear more about what the Latvian center brings to the Celtics, take a look at the clip embedded below put together by the folks behind the NBA Swish YouTube channel.

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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Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis: The Boston Celtics don’t have a leader anymore?

Who is the leader of this Boston squad now?

In a significant trade for the 2023-24 NBA season, the Boston Celtics sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies while acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. The deal has major implications for all of the teams involved as well as the wider league and raises questions about leadership, playing style and the Celtics’ future moves.

Porzingis will add wrinkles to what the Celtics can do, but the swap also removes the player with the most postseason experience on the team, save Al Horford, along with the most vocal personality on the court. Who is the leader of this Boston squad now?

The hosts of “The Athletic NBA Show” podcast sat down to work through all of the above questions on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about Boston’s leadership and potential in a post-Marcus Smart era.

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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What might be the Boston Celtics’ next moves after the Kristaps Porzingis trade?

Boston is reportedly not done making moves to further bolster the roster.

Star big man Kristaps Porzingis is a Boston Celtic after having been dealt to the club by the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team deal sending veteran point guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. The deal is a risky one, but Boston is reportedly not done making moves.

Some fairly implausible suggestions have had the Celtics pursuing Portland Trail Blazers star floor general Damian Lillard, but the truth is Boston is probably out of the running given his contract.

What are some more reasonable options the Celtics could pursue?

The folks behind the Hoops Empire YouTube channel did their best to try to answer that question in a recent clip.

Take a look at the video embedded above to hear the options they think the Celtics should be calling after to make a truly deadly title contender.

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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The Boston Celtics took a big risk with the Kristaps Porzingis trade

The Celtics took a big swing with this move; will it pay off with a banner?

The Boston Celtics’ hopes of winning the 2023 NBA championship were dashed in the Eastern Conference finals for the fourth time in seven years. As a result, there are concerns about committing significant money to the star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and new big man Kristaps Porzingis.

The team had a potential trade lined up for Porzingis that would have sent out Malcolm Brogdon, but it fell apart when the Clippers backed out due to concerns about Brogdon’s health. As a result, the Celtics had to trade Marcus Smart, raising concerns about the team having a good enough point guard to compete for a title.

The Celtics took a big swing with this move; will it pay off with a banner?

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what the folks behind the NBA Hoops With TJ YouTube channel had to say about Boston’s big gamble.

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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Goodbye Marcus Smart, hello Kristaps Porzingis: On getting used to the new Boston Celtics

Many fans of the Boston Celtics are still trying to absorb the changes to their favorite team that happened in the lead-up to the 2023 NBA draft.

Many fans of the Boston Celtics are still trying to absorb the changes to their favorite team in the lead-up to the 2023 NBA draft. A core member of the franchise — some might say the heart and soul of the team — is now a part of the Memphis Grizzlies organization.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast elected to explore the Celtics’ recent blockbuster trade and how they see the departure of Marcus Smart and the arrival of Kristaps Porzingis. They reflect on Smart’s unforgettable tenure in Boston, celebrating his iconic moments on and off the court.

As they bid farewell to Smart, they also welcome Porzingis to the Celtics family and delve into how he fits into the team’s dynamic.

To hear their take on a wild week for Celtics fans, be sure to check out 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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