Porzingis opens up about title expectations, Holiday trade and more

Exclusive: Porzingis Reveals Expectations for Celtics Title Run, Reflects on Holiday Trade, and More

The Boston Celtics made major moves during the offseason, showing their dedication to winning a championship. One of the biggest changes was the acquisition of star center Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. Porzingis brings a unique skill set to the Celtics with his ability to shoot 3-pointers and defend at an elite level, standing at an impressive 7-foot-3.

Coming off his best offensive season, averaging 23.2 points per game and shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc, Porzingis has the potential to be the missing piece in Boston’s pursuit of a championship. In an exclusive interview with Celtics insider Chris Forsberg, Porzingis shares his thoughts on the Jrue Holiday trade, managing expectations, playing alongside Al Horford, and much more.

When asked about his initial impressions of the Celtics, Porzingis expresses excitement for the upcoming season, highlighting the level of talent brought in by the organization. He believes that this talent will provide extra motivation for everyone on the team, despite the high expectations and pressure. Porzingis states that the team is ready to embrace the challenge and expects great things from themselves.

Regarding the Jrue Holiday trade, Porzingis reveals his happiness to have Holiday on his team. He praises Holiday’s defensive abilities, recognizing him as a strong defender who won’t be a mismatch in switches. Porzingis is confident that Holiday’s defensive impact will be significant for the Celtics.

Porzingis emphasizes the importance of staying focused day by day and not looking too far ahead. He acknowledges that the team cannot constantly think about their end goal but instead must focus on the daily work needed to reach that goal. Porzingis believes that the team has the mental toughness to embrace the repetition and challenges of each day.

Reflecting on his experience with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Porzingis describes them as extremely talented players. What stands out to him the most is their selflessness and determination to win. Porzingis believes that their mindset is what sets them apart and why they are valuable assets to the Celtics organization.

Porzingis expresses his excitement about joining a title contender like the Celtics through a trade. He reveals that he feels like it’s the right decision for his career, as he’s always wanted the opportunity to compete for a championship. Representing such an iconic franchise adds to his gratitude for the opportunity.

Although Porzingis had to make the tough decision of not playing in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, he understands the importance of looking at the bigger picture. He recognizes the significance of his upcoming season with the Celtics and the potential opportunity to play for his national team in the future.

When asked about what excites him most about the upcoming season, Porzingis mentions playing in the Garden. He looks forward to experiencing the incredible atmosphere of regular season games at home after previously playing in Boston as a visitor.

Porzingis believes that playing with Al Horford in double-big lineups will be easy. He praises Horford’s shooting ability and acknowledges that it will make everyone’s life easier on the offensive end. Defensively, Porzingis believes that they have already found ways to utilize their strengths and will continue to figure out ideal matchups to protect the rim.

Porzingis believes that the Celtics have the potential to be elite defensively. He mentions the guards on the team, including the addition of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, as elite defenders who will make it tougher for opponents to finish at the rim. Combined with his and Horford’s shot-blocking abilities, Porzingis feels confident that the team will reach an elite defensive level.

Lastly, Porzingis confirms that his foot has not bothered him since joining the Celtics. He praises the medical staff for their careful management and loading process, ensuring that he is fully ready for training camp and the upcoming season.

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Emily Turner

Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.