Porzingis: ‘I’m enjoying basketball the most’ playing in Boston
originally appeared on
NBC Sports Boston
During a recent In-Season Tournament game, Boston Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis had a sit-down with NBC Sports Boston’s Mike Gorman and Brian Scalabrine to talk about his career.
Porzingis, now in his eighth season, has been instrumental in Boston’s early success, with an average of 18.9 points on 54.7% shooting, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. From being booed on draft night to a mature player both on and off the court, the Latvian has come a long way since being a 19-year-old pick by the New York Knicks in the 2015 NBA Draft.
“You know, I came in the league very young, 19 years old,” Porzingis said. “[I] got drafted by New York and had an incredible time playing there for the Knicks, but I was still very immature in a lot of ways, but most importantly on the court.”
After three seasons with the Knicks, Porzingis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster trade. In Dallas, he played alongside Luka Doncic and continued to perform at an elite level, despite struggling with injuries and being later traded to the Washington Wizards.
In two short seasons with the Wizards, Porzingis improved significantly offensively, averaging 22.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. His promising performance led to the Celtics acquiring him, trading away fan favorite Marcus Smart in a three-team deal.
“At this stage of my career, 28 years old, [I’ve] been on a few teams, played with many different great players,” Porzingis added. “I have this experience and I have the maturity and I know the game much better than when I was early in my career, or even in Dallas.”
Porzingis has thrived in Boston, building chemistry with his teammates and fully embracing a team-first approach under coach Joe Mazzulla. He has developed a close bond with Jaylen Brown, benefiting both of their performances on the court.
“I’ve grown a lot,” Porzingis said. “I’m enjoying basketball the most playing here, now at this stage of my career, and playing here in Boston.”
Porzingis is currently recovering from a calf injury but hopes to have a better idea of his return timetable within a week.
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.