Former teammate Kristaps Porzingis discusses his growth with The Washington Wizards, his excitement to be part of The Boston Celtics, and why things didn't work out with Luka Doncic and The Dallas Mavericks. He reflects on the Mavs / Clippers series and his growth as a professional athlete. KP also talks about growing up in Latvia, getting drafted by The New York Knicks, and his regrets about asking for a trade. He mentions playing with Al Horford, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum.
Kristaps Porzingis reflects on his growth as a player and discusses his excitement to be part of the Boston Celtics team.
Porzingis opens up about his upbringing in Latvia and how his experience in Spain prepared him for the NBA.
Despite challenges and organizational instability, Porzingis maintained a focused and determined mindset, emphasizing the importance of staying mentally strong and continually improving as a player.
Deep dives
Podcast Summary
In this podcast episode, the host and guest have a candid conversation about various topics. The guest shares insights into his career, including his time with the New York Knicks and his move to the Boston Celtics. He reflects on the challenges he faced, such as coaching changes and injuries, and discusses his growth as a player. The guest also praises his new teammate, Derek White, and highlights the leadership and stoicism of Jason Tatum. Overall, the episode offers an inside look into the guest's journey in the NBA.
Life in Latvia and Spain
The guest discusses his upbringing in Latvia and his move to Spain to pursue basketball. He shares how his experience in Spain helped shape him as a player and prepare him for the NBA. The guest reflects on the challenges of adjusting to a new country and the cultural differences he encountered. Despite the initial difficulties, he developed a love for Spain and honed his skills during his time there.
Navigating Change and Pressure
The guest reflects on the ups and downs of his career, particularly during his time with the New York Knicks. He discusses the coaching changes and organizational instability he experienced during those years. Despite the challenges, he maintained a focused and determined mindset, not letting the external changes distract him from his goal. The guest highlights the importance of staying mentally strong and continually improving as a player.
The Unicorn Label and Reputation
The guest opens up about the "unicorn" label and the pressures that came with it. He discusses how his reputation and expectations were shaped by the early success and high praise he received. However, he acknowledges the need for consistency and the desire to prove himself as a key player in the league. The guest also emphasizes the importance of focusing on winning and how his move to the Boston Celtics provides an opportunity for him to make a significant impact.
Teammates and Growth
The guest praises his current teammates, particularly Derek White and Jason Tatum. He highlights White's basketball IQ and ability to make the right plays, expressing high expectations for him. He also appreciates Tatum's stoicism and leadership, describing him as a player who always makes the right decisions on the court. The guest shares his admiration for his teammates' skills and positive contributions to the team dynamic.
We are super psyched to welcome in JJ's former teammate and current member of The Boston Celtics. In this interview, KP opens up about a lot of things so be sure to tune in. We'll get right into it!
Topics include: JJ breaks down the play of Tyrese Haliburton in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Then we welcome in Kristaps Porzingis to talk about the card games he and JJ used to play on The Dallas Mavericks. Then KP talks about his growth with The Washington Wizards and his improved defense, why he's excited to be a part of this Boston Celtics team and why he feels things didn't work out with Luka Doncic and The Dallas Mavericks. He then recounts the Mavs / Clippers series in which Rick Carlisle told him to stand in the corner and how these moments helped with his growth and maturity as a professional athlete. He then talks about growing up in Latvia and getting drafted by The New York Knicks and knowing that he would get hate on draft night. He obviously talks about Tingus Pingus too. He then gets into the rocky leadership during his time and why he regrets asking for a trade. And finally KP talks about playing with guys like Al Horford, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Let's go!
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