In Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics know they’re getting a dynamic offensive risk that may assist unlock their unit in numerous methods. He’s been a constant three-level scorer all through his profession, and had one among his finest seasons offensively final 12 months in Washington.
Defensively, although, Porzingis is perhaps slightly underrated. He ranked among the many finest pick-and-roll defenders within the NBA final season, and together with his dimension and mobility, presents an enormous problem to opponents on the rim, as he’s already proven in two preseason video games. Already, his consideration to element on that finish has caught Al Horford’s eye.
“With us, we’re asking him to do a lot, to cover a lot of things,” Horford mentioned. “Already I feel like he has my back covering different positions on the court. Everybody knows his offense. His offense is great. We know he can do a lot of things. But on defense he’s doing a good job of talking to us, protecting the basket and really staying active.”
That sounds lots just like the departed Robert Williams, who possessed elite defensive safety for his teammates defending on the perimeter. His teammates might be extra aggressive realizing Williams was there to assist. Porzingis will not be on the identical degree as Williams, however early returns point out the Celtics’ rim safety shouldn’t fall too far with him gone.
“I just think he has really good instincts,” Horford mentioned of Porzingis. “Sometimes it’s not easy when you’re on the back line trying to recognize when to come help, when to drop off, things like that. It comes pretty easy, from what I’ve seen. He’s able to recover, make a play and be able to help us.”
Starters don’t matter?
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has not but dedicated to a set beginning lineup, and it doesn’t appear to be he’ll. The preconceived notion is that Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Porzingis will begin most nights, however Horford might issue into the equation primarily based on matchups. Mazzulla isn’t getting too caught up in it.
“I would ask myself, it’s a 48 minute game, if we get so worked up about the first five minutes of the game, what are they doing the other 43 minutes?” Mazzulla mentioned Friday.
Mazzulla famous a energy of final season’s staff was its skill to plug gamers into the beginning lineup on nights when regulars have been lacking, and that ought to proceed this season. He has beforehand talked about he believes there are eight or 9 starting-caliber gamers.
“We won 10 games last year because our second, third, whatever unit we had, our non-original starters, were able to step in and keep the intensity and the execution where it was,” Mazzulla mentioned. “So I think that’s the teaching. It’s at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is we have to play hard and we have to execute.”
Early mentorship
Celtics rookie Jordan Walsh joked at media day he wasn’t even born when Horford was going to varsity. But the 19-year-old has already developed a deep bond with the 37-year-old veteran. The two spoke earlier than Walsh was even drafted by the Celtics, and now that they’re teammates, Horford has taken him beneath his wing. He’s been impressed with what he’s seen.
“I just think Jordan is a great kid,” Horford mentioned. “He’s actually making an attempt to grasp the way to be a professional. He’s about the suitable issues already. He’s about successful, he’s about caring for the staff, doing what he has to do with us. With that angle, it’s going to take him a great distance. It’s been nice to look at him, his work ethic, his dedication, he’s at all times one of many first ones right here within the constructing. He’s at all times asking questions, at all times making an attempt to study, he already has that proper mindset.
“For me, it’s to kind of let him grow and develop and be there for him, as a sounding board if he needs anything, any advice or anything like that. He’s doing a great job so far.”
WNBA coming quickly?
Boston, regardless of being a basketball hotbed, has not been represented within the WNBA since its inception in 1996. Could that be altering quickly?
Celtics majority proprietor Wyc Grousbeck, in a latest interview with Axios, left the chance open.
“There’s some discussions underway,” Grousbeck mentioned.
“Stay tuned, but I’m not sure,” he added. “I’ve heard some rumblings.”
There can be 13 groups within the WNBA after the league introduced final week an growth franchise will come to the Bay Area, and there’s anticipated to be one other one set to start in 2025.
Grousbeck famous an impediment that has challenged Boston’s skill to carry a WNBA staff to town, which is that the Celtics don’t personal their constructing. The Bruins personal TD Garden.
“I’ve been open to it all along, except that it just doesn’t work out as well if you don’t own the building,” Grousbeck mentioned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com