Porzingis candidly compares Celtic’s experience to previous NBA stops originally appearing on NBC Sports Boston
Kristaps Porzingis enjoys playing in Boston.
That much is clear, not only because the Celtics big man has said it several times, but also because he seems to be playing with a permanent smile on his face.
Porzingis’ joy is fueled in part by the Celtics’ success; After just two playoff appearances (both first-round exits) in his first eight NBA seasons, split between the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards, the 7-foot-2 big man immediately got a taste of winning last season as part of Boston’s championship team and basked in the support of an extremely passionate fan base.
Is qualifying for the Celtics the most fun Porzingis has had as a pro? Following Boston’s 123-99 win over the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden on Thursday, Porzingis responded with a brief but interesting look back at his career so far.
“I sure enjoy playing like crazy here, right?” Porzingis said. “But I would say I also had a lot of fun in Washington, even though we didn’t win. I really enjoyed my time there.
“I always enjoy playing for the Latvia national team. I have a lot of fun there because you are not forced, you are there because you want to be there. It is a different atmosphere. I have had some good years too also in Spain (before joining the NBA).
In short, Porzingis has had fun almost everywhere he has played, with one notable exception.
“Obviously my time in Dallas was a little more gritting my teeth and trying to get that joy,” Porzingis added. “But also New York – honestly, I always enjoy basketball. A little bit, maybe I lost it a little bit in Dallas.
“Back then, no one in Washington really paid that much attention, but I had a lot of fun, and now you see me clearly and see my atmosphere, smiling and happy.”
The Knicks traded Porzingis to Dallas in January 2019 to pair him with fellow European superstar Luka Doncic, but that experiment quickly went sideways. Then-head coach Rick Carlisle used Porzingis in more of a role on the floor, encouraging three-pointers over post-ups. Porzingis had one of the least efficient seasons of his career and had occasional clashes with Doncic before Dallas traded him to Washington in early 2022.
According to Porzingis, he regained his love for basketball with the Wizards, despite the team’s poor record. And when he went from one of the NBA’s worst teams to one of the best last summer, that joy reached a new level.
“I would say that’s how I’ve been for most of my career,” Porzingis said. “Only now that I’m back on a bigger stage can everyone see how I play and how I enjoy the game.”
Porzingis’ joy is visible on the field; Since his season debut on November 25, he has averaged 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game for the reigning champions.
The Celtics are back in action on Sunday against Porzingis’ former team in Washington, with tip-off set for 6:00 PM ET.
