Porzingis candidly compares Celtics experience to previous NBA stops originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Kristaps Porzingis loves playing in Boston.
This is evident not only because the Celtics big man said it several timesbut also because he seems to play with a permanent smile plastered on his face.
Porzingis’ joy is partly sparked by the Celtics’ success; After just two playoff appearances (two 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 had a taste of victory last season as part of Boston’s championship team and had the support of an ultra-passionate fan base.
So, is suiting up for the Celtics the most fun Porzingis has had as a professional? Following Boston wins 123-99 against the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden on Thursday, Porzingis responded with a brief but interesting retrospective of his career to date.
“I really love playing here like crazy, don’t you?” » said Porzingis. “But I would say I also had a lot of fun in Washington, even though we didn’t win. I really enjoyed my stay there.
“I always like playing for the (Latvian) national team. Lots of joy there because you don’t have to, you are there because you want to (be there). It’s a different atmosphere. I also had good years in Spain (before joining the NBA) too.
In short, Porzingis had fun almost everywhere he played – with one notable exception.
“Of course, my time in Dallas was a little bit more about grinding my teeth and trying to get that joy,” Porzingis added. “But also in New York – honestly, I still love basketball. Just a little bit, maybe I lost it a little bit in Dallas.
“At the time, in Washington, no one really paid attention, but I was having a lot of fun, and obviously now you see me and see my vibe, smiling and happy.”
The Knicks traded Porzingis to Dallas in January 2019 to pair him with fellow European superstar Luka Doncic, but that experiment was cut short in a hurry. Rick Carlisle, then head coach used Porzingis in more of a floor-spacing roleencouraging 3 points on post-ups. Porzingis had one of the least effective seasons of his career and had occasional clashes with Doncic before Dallas traded him to Washington in early 2022.
According to Porzingis, he rediscovered his love for basketball with the Wizards despite the team’s poor record. And when he went from one of the worst teams in the NBA to one of the best last summer, that joy reached a new level.
“I would say that’s how I’ve lived most of my career,” Porzingis said. “It’s only now that I’m on a bigger stage again and here everyone can see how I play and how much I enjoy the game.”
Porzingis’ enjoyment shows 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 defending champions.
The Celtics are back in action Sunday against Porzingis’ former team in Washington, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. ET.
