One of the most historically known and the most titled is the Boston “Celtics” team. 17 NBA titles have been won in its history. This means that this franchise is always with both for victories and they do not give up in the face of easy obstacles. Kristaps Porzingis also joined the team this summer and the plans are the most threatening. Will Kristaps and Boston finally reach the forgotten heights?
The last title was won by the east coast city team in the summer of 2008. In the previous one, 2006-2007 , the team did not enter the playoffs in the season, won only 24 victories in the regular season and the leader of the team at that time, 29-year-old Paul Pierce, could not make the team to bring in the playoffs for two seasons in a row. The player nicknamed “The Truth” was getting older, the franchise management was tired of mediocrity and was ready to take a risk. Pay a lot and get two top players. Ray Allen came from the Seattle Supersonics, Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves. About 100 games later, the team raised the cup above their heads. What parallels can we draw with Kristaps’ situation this year. The title must already be shining in the eyes of the men in green uniforms.
Last season, the Boston team did not have a few problems. Even before the start of the season, the then head coach Ime Udoka was punished for having an intimate relationship with an employee of the “Celtics” team. At first it was reported that both agreed to the relationship, but later it was revealed that the coach made unpleasant comments to the woman. It should be mentioned that Ime was married at the time. The audience was soon informed that Joe Mazula, a then 34-year-old coach who had only three seasons as an adult head coach at Fairmont State, would take over as head coach. Coach Ime who was respected and respected by the players. A new, unproven coach took his place. Clearly, the season had to start catching in the other team’s hand.
The victory columns were filled smoothly, three victories were achieved in the first three games, a total of 57 in the regular season. During the season, it was noticeable that the attack system was not fully organized and the coach learned many things by doing, which is completely understandable, but an additional problem for the team contenders for the title. During last season, Joe admitted that the planned game system would not be fully incorporated yet because he started preparing with the team very late in the preseason.
This season, there is progress in everything, the coach is more balanced, more confident, and the team is playing better basketball from day one. The work of former head coach, now president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens should also be praised here. In an exchange transaction stolen direct competitor Milwaukee “Bucks” and got Jrue Holliday, but Kristaps Porzingis was taken over from Washington “Wizards” with whom Boston extended the contract for an additional two years for 60 million dollars. Currently, Kristaps is connected to Boston at least until 2025-2026. at the end of the season.
As of this writing, the Boston Celtics have played 16 games and won 12 in the regular season. I think that all Latvian basketball fans can be happy that Kristaps has ended up in this team. By the way, Kristaps himself admitted that there was a chance to end up elsewhere, for example, Utah Jazz offered a contract for 20-30 million more, but Kristaps chose a stronger team!
This is 100% the most talented team in which Kristaps Porzingis has played. The team in which the game flowed most easily and naturally. He also reached basketball maturity himself. Everything has come together at the right time. There is a desire to skyrocket in terms of the team’s achievements, there are great partners to provide and who provide themselves, and there is an understanding that it all needs to be put together and used. The good old now or never, but with a couple of years of planning and time to execute.
Clearly, the cherry on the team is Jayson Tatum. The icing on the cake is Kristaps, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, who, according to almost every column, fit the bill for the team to be able to win the title already this year. There is talent, centimeters of height, experience, defense, versatility – everything is fine. And it is clear that more or less all of them are ready to sacrifice their individual statistics for the team. Derrick White is averaging slightly more points per game, but the other four have sacrificed and are scoring significantly less. Also the application of the big four (usage) has been in a couple of seasons of lows on the field. There is room for improvement and there is still potential in terms of communication, but it can be seen that they like to play with each other and without a doubt the quartet will find the right clues. At least at the expense of talent.
But the jelly underneath it all is not so tasty yet. All players in the starting five are excellent matches, a better starting five combination is hard to find in the league, if at all possible. But it comes at a high price – players who enter the match from the bench are significantly weaker and that is the case. At the age of 37, Al Horfod is no longer a monster for the Hawks at both ends of the court, but as the first player off the bench, there is nothing to blame. In terms of average minutes spent in the game, Sam Hauser follows, who at the moment can’t really do anything more than an excellent long shot and a grave for balls give. Little Peyton Pritchard is valuable off the bench, but his 180cm height and lack of athleticism take their toll. It must be admitted that the technical abilities of the game are at a level. Luke Kornet is good exactly for the 13 minutes he spends on the field – he will give himself as much as he can to the defense, throw in a three-pointer and successfully join the team’s play, but this is the first thing that hinders him the most from having a bigger role. That’s it, these nine players already make up the main rotation of the Celtics at the beginning of the season. What follows is so episodic that it is not worth mentioning.
NBA: It looks like Kristaps Porzingis will be back on the field sooner than it seemed ???? pic.twitter.com/CL5qegya6y
— Latvian Fantasy League (@LatvijasFantasy) November 26, 2023
Kristaps Porzingis is currently recovering from a calf muscle injury sustained in the match against the Orlando Magic. The recovery process is going smoothly and Kristaps himself has already managed to publish a positive picture. It must be remembered that the injury woes further shorten the rotation of the Boston team and every such omission, even a couple of games, can be costly and this is the team’s main problem that needs to be solved. It is clear that in the elimination matches the games will have the same rotation of 8-9 players, but at the moment for the Celts is exactly like that and the last ones are already slightly tightened to the required level of the decisive matches of the season. Too little and risky. Must be scanned teams that have veterans who could be acquired for a reasonable barter. Putting the math aside, considering only the potential options, they could be Detroit’s Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah’s Kelly Olynyk, New York’s Evan Fournier, one of the guys in Chicago. If they really want to get someone in the team, I have no doubt that the salary math will be sorted out.
It is a pleasure to see Kristaps in such a beautiful form, in a historic unit and in a strong team. I believe that the team can enter the NBA finals even with a whole existing squad, but to beat, for example, the Denver “Nuggets” machine, you will need a couple more weapon carriers.
Fantasy therefore, Kristaps continues the form he started in the last years. He is in the top 20-30 in the entire league. A little higher on the best days, a little lower on the worst, but if he stays injury-free, managers will continue to be happy to draft him. Boston will be able to afford to rest him as much as needed, which will keep his in-game value very high anyway.
Players with fantasy value you can find among free agents:
Dario Saric, Rishon Holmes, Tumani Kamara, Nikola Batum, Eric Gordon.
