Kristaps Porzingis raves about new Celtics teammate after trade and said he deserve credit following New York Knicks win

In the recent preseason NBA game held in Boston on October 17, 2023, we witnessed the Boston Celtics center, Kristaps Porzingis, attempting to pass the ball while being defended by New York Knicks center, Mitchell Robinson. Porzingis was expected to be a key player for the Celtics this season, but the dynamics changed swiftly just before the start of training camp when Boston acquired Jrue Holiday in a major trade with the Blazers.

In their first game together as teammates, Porzingis and Holiday joined the starting lineup alongside Derrick White and had Joe Mazzulla as the coach. Porzingis managed to score 20 points and attributed his success to Holiday’s performance as the point guard, which enabled him to find open shots. After the game, Porzingis expressed his appreciation for his new teammate and the synergy they’ve developed. He highlighted Holiday’s consistent efforts to find him on the court, stating that they aim to play for each other and celebrate each other’s success.

Holiday’s journey from one contender to another in just a week has been a whirlwind. Despite adjusting to a new team and region, he has already established himself as a great teammate. Porzingis commended Holiday for seamlessly integrating into the Celtics and maintaining his defensive prowess, while also making the offensive aspects of the game smoother for the team.

Holiday’s adaptability and versatility on the court have been impressive, as he has contributed in various ways, including scoring 10 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, providing 4 assists, and making 2 steals in the game against the Knicks. While it remains uncertain whether he will start or come off the bench as a sixth man, head coach Joe Mazzulla is pleased with Holiday’s adjustment and believes the team is progressing in terms of understanding one another’s playing styles.

Mazzulla emphasized the importance of game experience in helping the team gel, given the presence of four players who have been playing together for a long time. He praised Jrue Holiday’s intelligence and the team’s willingness to integrate everyone into their strategies. The Celtics still have one more preseason game in Charlotte to refine their performance, but Holiday has already made a positive impression on his new teammates in just a few weeks.