2023-06-30 13:27:00
Arrived in Boston just a week ago following a big three-way transfer between the Celtics, Wizards and Grizzlies, Kristaps Porzingis was presented to the local media yesterday with his brand new green jersey. The opportunity to answer the first questions and offer great promises to Beantown fans.
Induction press conferences are always a good time for beautiful declarations. The atmosphere is good, the excitement is in order, and the reality on the ground has not yet had time to interfere in the midst of publicly displayed hopes. Kristaps Porzingis’ media point yesterday in Boston is no exception to the rule.
Coming off of a great season in Washington, the 27-year-old Latvian interior hit the nail on the head when a reporter asked if he was about to enter the best years of his career (via NBC Sports Boston).
“I think so (entering my prime). I think these are the best years for a basketball player. Physically you are there, and mentally you reach another level. The work paid off for me. I analyzed my game to see how to be more efficient, I worked a lot off the pitch to stay healthy, my body matured and that helped. I think I have very good years ahead of me.”
For once, Porzingis’ 2023-24 campaign speaks for itself. Despite the Wizards’ still mediocre results, KP remains on his best statistical career season: 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 against, almost 50% in shooting including 38.5% at 3-point and 85.1% in free throws. An All-Star caliber production for the one who took advantage of his arrival in Washington to revive after a fishtail end with the Mavericks. Perhaps more importantly, KP has remained healthy overall in the US capital, playing 65 games this year and 82 of 110 since moving to DC in February 2022.
“It comes with experience. Knowing yourself, knowing your body, the game. Things slow down, and come together more and more as you get older. It’s like that in basketball but also in life. […] You keep evolving, and I think I will still be a better player at 30 compared to today.”
– Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis’ good season and his renewed durability after many sores ended up convincing the Celtics to bet on him, even if it meant sacrificing local hero Marcus Smart in the deal. It shows how much Boston believes in KP’s ability to bring an extra dimension to the team in their title pursuit. But at the same time, it will also bring a fair amount of pressure on the Latvian’s shoulders. The latter will quickly have to show that he is “entering his prime”, whether by offering solutions at the low post, at 3-pointers and in weighing defensively, otherwise the fans always very proud of Boston could quickly scold by chanting the Marcus Smart’s name.
In the end, and you have understood it, only an NBA champion title will represent a valid justification for this transfer. It’s up to Kristaps Porzingis to show that he is the man capable of helping the Celtics take the last step.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 29, 2023
Source texte : NBC Sports Boston
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#enter #prime