By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Coming to the Boston Celtics with a late-June trade which also sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, Kristaps Porzingis has been impressive with his new team so far, combining 28 points and 10 rebounds over two preseason wins against Philadelphia in only 42 minutes on the court.
Al Horford, who shared the frontline with him, spoke highly about his new addition. “I feel like the fact that we were both in here early in September really helped us get into a nice start. Obviously, we have a ways to go, continuing to develop the chemistry, but I feel pretty good with where we’re at”, the Dominican Republic veteran said on Boston’s official website about their developing chemistry.
Not being able to play in the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Latvia, the 28-year-old Baltic star has been working with his new team straight from the beginning, recovering from a foot injury. “I feel like he’s really doing a good job with the attention to detail, especially on the defensive end. With us, we’re asking him to do a lot, to cover a lot of things. 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”, Al Horford said about his defensive ability and focus.
Finally, the 17-year-old NBA veteran praised his quickness to read the game under certain circumstances, which will help the Celtics hugely during the season. “I just think he has really good instincts. 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”, Al Horford summed up on Kristaps Porzingis.
Playing 65 games with the Washington Wizards in the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season, the former New York Knicks went close to averaging a double-double with 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, shooting 49.8% from the field and 85.1% at the charity stripe.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup
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