Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Kristaps Porzingis on Sacrificing Stats for Celtics' Championship Pursuit: 'I'd Do That Trade Every Day'
At Kristaps Porzingis' introductory press conference at the Auerbach Center at the end of June, when asked about the motivation of knowing his new team traded for him because they view the former All-Star as the piece that can put them over the top in their pursuit of Banner 18, the former fourth-overall pick expressed the following to Inside The Celtics.
"The most like, exciting feeling that you can get -- just the idea of that," stated Porzingis. "That's why, as I said, it made it super easy, and it made (it) my complete favorite option was to come here to Boston. And that fire that I got from that idea is gonna gas me up for the rest of the summer and for my time being here."
In his first two preseason games with the Celtics -- he and the rest of the team's top six got the night off against the Knicks, with that matchup representing the second half of a back-to-back -- Porzingis has showcased his capabilities as a knockdown shooter.
A seven-foot-three center with such a quick release, extended range, and laser-like precision from beyond the arc makes him an ideal release valve for teammates like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jrue Holiday when they drive to the basket.
As detailed earlier this summer, the Latvian native's at the heart of why Boston should feel great about the way it addressed the problem that's plagued the team most in the playoffs in recent years.
It's also impressive for someone his size to be light on their feet. It goes a long way towards his ability to protect the rim in drop coverage without being the defensive liability less mobile centers are.
As Al Horford discussed with Inside The Celtics in a conversation about the synergy quickly developing between him and Porzingis, the latter's basketball IQ and ability to communicate with his teammates and steer them in the right direction on the fly has also demonstrated what makes him such an impactful two-way player.
But joining a championship team, one that has the best top six in the NBA, including another significant trade acquisition, Jrue Holiday, means sacrificing individual stats and taking fewer shots than last season in Washington, a career campaign that included him averaging a personal best 23.2 points.
It's an exchange he's happy to make, noting after Saturday's practice at the Auerbach Center, there are those on the team who are doing so to an even greater extent than he is.
"This is a very talented team, all positions, and then guys that are not playing as much, like Payton (Pritchard), Sam (Hauser), those guys are not getting as many minutes here, but they would play a lot more probably, on a different team. And what's really cool about that is that those guys are not complaining. They show up every day. Same attitude. The same way. They're just super professional and just waiting for their moment.
"And that's the thing about being on a good team. Everybody has to sacrifice a little bit. Everybody has to sacrifice. And that's what you can see with this group; everybody is willing to sacrifice for a bigger goal."
Seeing their attitude and approach day in and day out makes it easier to put the sacrifices he'll have to make in perspective, but knowing he's doing so for his best chance at a championship makes doing so a non-issue for him.
"Honestly, it's not that much of a sacrifice. If, at the end, if you're winning, (then) what are you sacrificing? Nothing. Your own stats for winning? Like that's, it makes sense. I'd do that trade every day."
He later expressed that when, "You're playing with these other talented players that can make stuff happen, and you can kind of just be there to support if needed almost...But honestly, I'm just gonna play my game, and everybody's gonna play their game, and if all of our stats dip a little bit or some stats dip a little bit, who cares? Nobody cares. We're here to win. That's it."
Porzingis' outlook reflects the approach of a team that showed up to Boston early to work out together before training camp and is prepared to sacrifice whatever it takes to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
That attitude is paramount to reaching the NBA's summit, with Jrue Holiday, Boston's only active player who's been there before, telling Inside The Celtics, "It's harder than everything you've ever done before. You're going to be tired, (and) exhausted, but it's about who has the mental toughness, who can fight through it and make plays toward the end of games, end of (a) series, but who's the most connected? The team that wants it the most will go after it and get it."
Further Reading
Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most
NBA Insider Explains Why Celtics Might Utilize Jrue Holiday as Sixth Man
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. 76ers: Regulars Shine, Roster Battles Intensify
Oshae Brissett's Value to the Celtics on Full Display in Preseason
[Film Room] Lamar Stevens States Case for Celtics' Roster Spot
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
