“Talents that are attached to the team give additional motivation to prepare for the season. Expectations and pressure will be high, but that’s why we’re here. We also expect a lot from ourselves.”
In early October, the Celtics added guard Drew Holliday, who previously represented the Portland Trail Blazers. Porzingis expressed his joy that a high-class defensive player has joined the Boston team.
“He’s the only, or one of the few defenders, against whom I don’t feel like I’m covered by a smaller opponent. He is a strong defensive player in one-on-one situations. His offense is also important, but everyone likes the way he fights defensively.”
Also, Porzingis emphasized that Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown are talented teammates who play selflessly.” Even after simple games in training and conversations with them, I could understand that their main goal is to win. That is why they are in this organization and will be here for a long time,” he added.
The Boston team is considered one of the contenders for the championship title. Last season, the Celtics finished the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference, but in the playoffs they stopped in the conference finals, losing 3-4 to the Miami Heat.
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“We can’t just think about the big goal all the time, but every day we need to put in the work that is necessary to achieve the main goal. I’m at the age and point in my career where it’s easier for me to move forward day by day. The others are also sufficiently experienced,” explained the Latvian.
In the summer, Porzingis could not help the Latvian national team in the World Cup final due to a foot injury, and the basketball player stated that it was difficult both to make such a decision and to inform coach Lukas Banki about it.
“It was very difficult, because I love to represent my country, and it was an important tournament for Latvia. However, I needed to look at everything as a whole and I have an important season ahead of me. I know it was the right decision.”
“The foot doesn’t bother me anymore. The medical staff has done everything perfectly, gradually allowing you to function with a greater load. When I arrived, from the very beginning I wanted to do everything to the maximum, but they stopped me,” revealed the basketball player.
The Boston team will play the next test game on Tuesday, hosting the New York “Knicks”, while the Celtics will start the regular season on October 25.
