‘Everyone is keen to sacrifice for an even bigger aim’: Kristaps Porzingis and Celtics aren’t anxious about particular person stats

Celtics

The Celtics loaded their roster with expertise, however sharing the ball will not be a problem in keeping with Porzingis.

Kristaps Porzingis spoke to the media on Saturday in regards to the Celtics’ proficient lineup. (John Tlumacki/Globe Employees)

  • Jeff Van Gundy added to the Celtics’ employees as a senior marketing consultant

Irrespective of what number of stars you will have on the courtroom, there’s nonetheless just one basketball. Kristaps Porzingis and the Celtics know that.

Heading into 2023-24, they aren’t anxious about their stat traces on the finish of the night time. Profitable is the precedence, and this star-studded Boston workforce desires to win a championship collectively.

Throughout an interview with reporters on Saturday, the Celtics’ new big-man Porzingis stored repeating one phrase whereas addressing Boston’s expertise: sacrifice.

“That’s the factor about being on workforce, all people has to sacrifice just a little bit,” Porzingis stated. “That’s what you’ll be able to see with this group. Everyone is keen to sacrifice for an even bigger aim.”

The Celtics have 4 gamers ranked in ESPN’s top-100 gamers within the NBA, together with three within the high 30. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Vacation and Porzingis will probably be spending a whole lot of time on the courtroom collectively this season. It’s unlikely all 4 will keep their particular person statistics now that they’re on the identical workforce.

When Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors to workforce up with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, each he and Curry noticed dips of their level totals. Durant averaged 28.2 factors per recreation his ultimate yr with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, and dropped to 25.1 the next season with Golden State. Curry’s final season earlier than Durant, he averaged 30.1 factors per recreation and that dropped to 25.3 the subsequent yr.

On the identical time, Curry and Durant received back-to-back NBA Championships in 2017 and 2018. Their particular person sacrifices helped obtain workforce success. Twice.

It appears the Celtics need to emulate that mannequin. Tatum and Brown have reached the finals as soon as, however are nonetheless on the lookout for the grand prize that’s alluded them. Having Porzingis and Vacation might give them their greatest likelihood but on the title. Stats aren’t on their minds, a championship is.

“It’s not that a lot of a sacrifice, on the finish if you happen to’re successful, what are you sacrificing?,” Porzingis stated. “Your individual stats for successful? That is sensible, I’ll do this commerce day by day. … If all of our stats dip just a little bit, or some stats dip just a little bit, who cares? We’re right here to win.”