The Celtics Tricked the Entire NBA…

The Boston Celtics dominated the Dallas Mavericks in game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, with Kristaps Porzingis shooting lights out in his minutes. The Dallas Mavericks have been a switch-heavy team on the defensive end, forcing opposing big men to punish those mismatches, and up to this point, teams haven't been able to do that. But the Boston Celtics looks like they've found their switch beater in Kristaps Porzingis.
Seeing all the success that he's having really makes you wonder how the Boston Celtics were able to pull off the Kristaps Porzingis trade in the first place. The Celtics have fully fleshed out their core around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and with teams having their hands full defending those two, Porzingis really becomes the straw that stirs the drink.
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Providing NBA analysis by making film digestible and using analytics thoughtfully to contextualize on-court production. I cover the NBA in various capacities as a writer and digital content creator. If you love basketball and the NBA, be sure to subscribe to my channel.
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#KristapsPorzingis #BostonCeltics #NBAFinals

[@AlexHoops]

After game 1, who do you have winning the series and in how many games? 👇

[@NotOneToFly]

Celtics in 6! It could be less, but honestly I want it to be a little more interesting than that; 100% selfish 😂

[@matthewvanzandt6589]

Mavs in 6

[@rob.j.g]

Celtics in 5. Rooting for the mavs but I’m shook.

[@JordanGurney]

Boston in 6

[@That_Guy_Says_Hi]

Two stars does not equal five and a half or six stars. The Mavs will be lucky to win one.

[@jayward8237]

As a Celts fan the other thing we really appreciate is his attitude. Dude is always smiling, lifting spirits, loves being in Boston, & is a fantastic teammate.

[@ConservativeN-Bomb]

Luka ran him out of Dallas, and Kyrie is a weirdo, fake-smart scumbag!

[@ashtondownes284]

This is it

[@henrynagle8097]

He knows his role and embrances it. Love watching him. Hopefully he will take a paycut to stay when his contract is up.

[@AFchris77]

Brad Stevens built an incredible team. Good coach, great GM.

[@charlesbarkely3021]

credit where credit is due good point

[@hmmm7835]

Man I loved Danny But Brad is building these champion teams like there no tomorrow lol

[@flednanders4601]

Brilliant basketball mind. They’re lucky to have him. I completely agree with you though, I think he’s best utilized as a GM.

[@KaySwiss420]

Great coach, GOAT GM

[@akeme25]

Dude was a great college coach, a great NBA coach, and now a great GM. He’s killing it on all the levels lol

[@meowzzies]

I thought Dallas had a chance until they released the Porzingis

[@behindthearcyt]

The fact the Celtics got porzingis plus 2 1st round picks is still crazy to me. I’ve felt this entire season that he was the Celtics 2nd best player he gives the celtics a consistent avenue to get points in the midrange, forces centers to worry about him from 30 feet out and his rim protection is insane and all of that was on full display in game 1.

[@roslolian11]

Yeah its crazy all they gave up is Smart who isnt even that good.

[@Fro00ot0]

In my lifetime as a Cs fan, the 1 thing we can never complain about is our executives. Danny and Brad are wizards.

[@glovs4188]

2nd best behind who? Brown? Tatum? To be fair though. He's much more important than those 2 cause the only center depth they have is big al.

[@phantom_isle]

Brad Stevens is a genius

[@TerribleTake]

@@glovs4188kornet has been alright as a backup center and Tillman was a really good backup center for Memphis I know he’s not in bostons rotation but him being your 3rd or 4th string center is crazy and Boston honestly has one of the deepest groups of centers in the league with Minnesota being about the only team with better options considering they have gobert KAT and naz lol

[@_Ballerz]

porzingis was so underrated before the finals, glad to see him getting his love

[@sdfv4zx]

The knicks is kicking themself this season.

[@OmnipotentSpud]

He's frankly always been good. He's a low tier #2 option. I don't mean that in an insulting way, either. He's probably the worst 2 in the league, but the best 3.

[@jaydendoucette1347]

@@sdfv4zxthe Knicks are chilling

[@Dachoseone2546]

Fax

[@ConservativeN-Bomb]

Pretty much the same thing he's been doing all year. Its only a surprise to the casuals!

[@Robin-xt7yo]

I live near Boston but i swear i could hear all of Latvia cheering for their native son in that 1st half! 🇱🇻

[@aleksandrskuznecovs9019]

Sarauj KP🇱🇻

[@rudiss4849]

❤

[@edmundsgrimbergs5055]

[@raptor_il89lv]

KP airBaltic varētu izvizināt goda aplī ap Mildu😂👍🇱🇻💪

[@dgw4049]

2024 Celts are perhaps the most well constructed team in NBA history. VERY BALANCED & VERY DEEP. Every player can shoot, pass, handle, rebound and defend.

[@TheGamerFriends]

I think you also forget the part where we have guys like Jrue Holliday and Derek White who could also come in clutch for us offensively and they almost 99% come in clutch for us on defensive situations. There’s just too many threats on our team. This is why we overwhelm everybody.

[@pg13pacernation30]

KRISTAPS PORZINGIS MASTERPIECE 🔥🔥🔥 Dude was out for 50 days and came back looking like prime KG against his former team. 😤 The Boston Celtics had as many blocks as the Mavs had assists in Game 1 😳 KP set the tone defensively and offensively.

[@ach9820]

Boston Celtics in 5 💚☘

[@couldntcareless2602]

Yessir!!

[@kurakuson]

NBA analyst laughed when Knicks GM Phil Jackson drafted Porzingis.

[@soramirez5473]

knicks fans were crying cuz they didnt want this guy.. I was a knicks fan and WANTED him.. but then again I also wanted Frank Ntilikina.

[@cvgodd1432]

@@soramirez5473😂

[@CitizenoftheWorld1]

He's the OG unicorn but he was always hurt. The best ability is availability

[@supernotnatural]

Celtics went to finals without him lol. Easy to shine in great team. He was hurt. Still plays 20min. s tfu

[@ShadeSlayerIII]

Well, Phil Jackson is a genius.

[@TheOnlyDTM]

Im glad someone else is saying what I’ve thought all year. This team is UNBEATABLE when they play how they should. This has the potential to be a 3peat if they can maintain. Gotta win the first one though

[@justdale8128]

for what they had to give up and what this team has performed like this year, Brad Stevens might be playing real life 2k more than Sam Presti was with his draft pick hoarding. giving up Marcus Smart and bench fillers for that type of draft compensation AND KP to boot is bonkers. EDIT: oh yeah, not to mention the addition of Jrue Holiday looking like the real winners of the Dame Trade

[@Robin-xt7yo]

Brad is a genius. Makes sense he won NBA Executive of the Year.

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

Stevens already had his cornerstone players in Tatum and Brown. Presti need time for SGA to develop into that role, and hopefully Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren become the next two key players.

[@tyrronne670]

From tingus pingus, meddling on the mavs, booed by NY, to the nba finals, kp may be the player i'm rooting for the most to get a ring in this series, aside from white

[@PuertoRicanSamurai]

Don't forget Big Al

[@carlossantiago8420]

Uncle Al deserves a ring

[@Robin-xt7yo]

I also root for JB. He was wrongly snubbed.

[@4sight719]

how about a hand for the Celtics office. in this modern day league were players tamper and pick their teammates (cough cough Lebron) its refreshing to see a organization picking the right players to complement their game plan. drafting well, signing well. letting players know that the organization is bigger then they are, but that by being apart of this org you are a contender for the finals every year. some players have too much power in other orgs (Donavon Mitchell, Trae Young, Lebron,Luka) and it can lead to Coaches being prematurely fired or players they dont like getting shipped off (cough cough bet Luka misses Porzingis now)

[@G-DS413]

don't forget Giannis and Harden

[@trollking4058]

I don't think Luka misses Tingus at all. Made the conference finals without him 2 seasons ago and made the finals this season against tough teams.

[@JohnSilva-zh8wc]

Great point. Danny was a good GM but I think Stevens is much better.

[@balazsujfalussy9698]

It looks to me that PZ is much more comfortable in Boston than he was anywhere else before, and it shows. Celtics magic.

[@NOY-GTR-GODZILLA]

Many players become more comfortable when they don't carry all the burden of the team to win.

[@marcoj25]

so happy to see KP popping off

[@timothymiller806]

Brad Steve’s has a chance to go down as an all time great GM

[@johnpauldizon1728]

If porzingiz do this until they won I think he will be the Finals MVP

[@MarkwittaK]

Does the minimum 65 (or however many) games played rule apply to finals MVP tho?

[@jamal0001]

@@MarkwittaK no

[@sergeayissi939]

Finals MVP coming off the bench!? Come on guys, JB will be Finals MVP and yes, unfortunately he is Black!

[@Ac0ustics0ul]

​@@sergeayissi939tf?

[@jasonberube9747]

@@sergeayissi939tf you mean unfortunately?

[@leagueleaders]

Great breakdown coach. KPs quick release forces the defender the over commit so often he gets easy blow bys. His patience and court vision is very underrated. Hes like a swiss army knife.

[@makgeoff]

I didn't get the trade at the beginning of the season but I knew something was up as Stevens went out of his way to get him, sacrificing Smart, before Jrue was even available, risking a disgruntled Brogdon. Now, we see an unleashed KP can do and it's a brilliant move by Stevens.

[@hungo7720]

Porzingis's consistency and stature is exceptional. He would deny the Mavs' dunks and knock down 30ft threes effortlessly which was instrumental in the Celtics clinching the victory.

[@jasonavery]

When he’s healthy, he’s truly the only unguardable player in the league. You literally can’t stop him. Just pray he misses or gets injured. Otherwise, he can’t be stopped. 7’3” with a 7’6” arm span, shooting 45% of pick and pop 3s at around 30FT from the basket. Can drive and shoot mid range, and he hits his free throws.

[@jimbeezii]

Wow. This is legit true

[@whatlurks_]

Also alter shots on defense at high rates.

[@nsp74]

and can block shots

[@hustlerKid]

Was a reason he use to be called the unicorn

[@MambaMentality617]

As long as he stays healthy the Mavs don’t stand a chance.

[@edwardwhakatihi1226]

I thought the mavs had a chance, until I remembered the celts have Pingus Zingus

[@albertsebastian4489]

Brad fckn Stevens is the man!!

[@onegenius6390]

AWESOME VIDEO! I'VE BEEN TELLING EVERYONE FOR 2 WEEKS, WE NEED KP IN THE FINALS. WHAT A GAME HE HAD! WHO CRYING OVER SMART NOW? 🤔

[@HPLov3craft]

i think the only team that could contain the celtics was denver, im not sure how mavs can deal with that, maybe luka and kyrie can pull some monster perfomances and take this, but i find it highly unlikely

[@saidufofanah2210]

That’s what I liked this year in the playoffs, it was all about matchups. I thought lakers would have favored okc instead of nuggets, I thought wolves were built for Denver, I thought Denver were built to beat everybody else including mavs and Celtics.

[@enthused7591]

@@saidufofanah2210 Totally agree, as a Celtics fan I was super concerned about both Denver and the Wolves, because the wolves were elite all year until they ran out of gas against Dallas, which still seems bizarre to me. Dallas is no joke, but I feel like Boston is too stacked for any team outside of Denver or Minnesota to compete.

[@raynz4882]

As Celtics fan i agree with this, Boston's only threat was Nuggets

[@user-lt1fx2he5s]

@@raynz4882The equalizer for KP was Jokic

[@sergeayissi939]

I agree

[@tmclaug90]

Large part of the reason is that he is happy to play his role as a part of the team is isn't demanding certain touches or whatever.

[@kierenmoore3236]

He has grown up a lot since his time at the Mavericks, even … he himself said so … we forget how young these guys are, because they’re rich giants, lol.

[@stefanocugini6379]

Brad Stevens also tricked the entire NBA... Especially teams like Nets, Philly, Lakers, Nets again, Trailblazer's, Wizards , Memphis, Spurs and Milwaukee. Who did i miss? Brad is EOTY for a reason.

[@goodisanoun]

He didn't trick the Spurs. It was a smart trade for both teams.

[@Giantfanmisery]

Nets and Philly were Danny ainge but I see your point

[@Christian-eq6pq]

He didn’t trick the Nets, Philly, or Lakers. Ainge did. I mean maybe Philly if you’re referring to the Horford trade.

[@user-lt1fx2he5s]

@@Christian-eq6pqHe did because he was able to steal Ime Udoka from the Nets coaching staff in the 2021 offseason.

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

The trades made sense for the other teams too. They only worked for the Stevens because they already had Tatum & Brown (true, via Nets draft picks), so all the other players could fit into the 3-6 roles, without needing to be specified as 3, 4, or 5.

[@robertsumbrasko3591]

I hope he continues to perform and perhaps even wins finals MVP - our Latvian king

[@sdfv4zx]

Not so fast with that king bs, im picking dallas in 6 or 7.

[@ethanjackson1824]

@@sdfv4zx u should bet money on that

[@mattpassos5689]

​@@sdfv4zxyour pick doesn't matter hot stuff

[@mig50cc]

@@mattpassos5689your reply doesn't matter either, lukewarm stuff.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Y’all stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff, stuff-stuffers … 🤨 … 😄

[@huntermurphy6151]

Everyone can stop their yapping about why the games were close now. But I think that was actually an advantage because they became even better while he was gone

[@jonathonlyon8797]

Awesome analysis and presentation. I learned a lot from it, and I'm a big Celtics fan. Thanks!

[@kevincolwell3066]

The best part of getting him was dumping Smart who thinks way too high of his shooting ability.

[@Scott6794]

I agree. I loved Smart's passion and dedication to the team but he just didn't cut it.

[@pieguy96]

Always such a fun player to watch

[@JordanGurney]

KP so far is on his way to Finals MVP!!!

[@G-DS413]

i think mvp will go to JB

[@kierenmoore3236]

But KP’s impact off the bench, omg … Sure steadied everyone and set it all up …

[@sergeayissi939]

JB Finals MVP!

[@WookieChewie13]

Mav fans got a few days to digest what just hit them, and all the bettors

[@Jonteponte71]

Executive of the year General Manager. That's how you get Porzingis AND two first round picks. Also. No one else seemed to be too keen on trading for him at the time. People calling him an all-star a year later when very few thought he was one at the time of the trade is a bit rich.

[@AlexHoops]

I thought the trade was absolute genius at the time, was surprised at how many people didn’t like the trade

[@kierenmoore3236]

Well, he’s wonderful, so long as he’s uninjured …

[@LeeBucket]

Leave it to Washington to mess up trading their best player since all they got in return was 1 pick, Tyus Jones (who's going to be a UFA), Gallinari, and Muscala - both of those guys ended up being on new teams by the end of the season

[@kierenmoore3236]

KP was just going to walk free otherwise, I think? So, they were lucky to get anything … ?

[@adamwillis908]

What they did was facilitate a trade to a team that he wanted to go to and got something in return, rather than let him walk in free agency and get nothing.

[@LeeBucket]

@@kierenmoore3236 Of course they should get some value instead of letting him go for nothing, but they could've had a much better return instead of getting fleeced

[@Desertbiker617]

Great analysis 👍

[@jpdemer5]

Can't but notice that there are two other Celtics on that "best post players" chart at 1:45. How the hell do you defend when _all three_ are on the floor?

[@kierenmoore3236]

Y’dont, hopefully … 😁☘️🏆#18

[@kmoustakas]

Celtics been tricking the NBA since Danny Ainge. And Brad has been the best student.

[@oldmansteverogers3400]

My dream is for Chet to be to straight up casually shoot over players once he develops that quicker release man that will open up OKC's offensive options so much

[@Chris-zt2ce]

I'm pulling for the Mavs and he took my heart and soul before the first quarter was over. Thanks for covering this!

[@mayo42069]

u need to do a breakdown on how tinguspingus has been way more effective against the mavericks compared to kat who only had 2 decent - good games that series after being dominant on both ends all playoffs

[@joecarroll363]

really good analysis and video. i enjoyed. just wanted to suggest you look into a de-esser (if you havent already) to make the sibilants in your words quieter.

[@darellboney8918]

Love the header note at 6:46 because I fully expected your words to be flipped against you in the comment section lol

[@engineeringforlife1367]

This video aged like wine. Let's Go Celtics!

[@edmiley9866]

Great take

[@benny8769]

We love KP

[@OmnipotentSpud]

The NBA frankly needs a moneyball situation. Their talent evaluators are freaking dinosaurs on the whole.

[@sdfv4zx]

Dallas had the unicorn but blew it and let him go, same with jb they let him go too, what could have been.

[@chrisdragnet722]

Dallas still are in The Finals without both.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Dallas let JB go?!

[@Robin-xt7yo]

Brunson.​@@kierenmoore3236

[@patrickbello8130]

Question with kp has always and will always be his health .

[@marcelobrozovic9872]

what can you do against mobile 7.3 tall guy with 7.3 wingspan, just hope he has a bad night

[@theory0610]

whats funny is that i told my friends (who are saying that mavs take it in 7) that if porzingis is healthy enough to play in the finals that they might be screwed. and so far i might be right.

[@localneo-graphic4647]

Wait, they got picks BACK on the Zingus trade? That's just unfair, Smart is a good defender but he's not Zingus.

[@Babak1358Shah]

Celtics took Jalen Brown from Nets, Tatum from Philadelphia, Derrick White from San Antonio, Holiday from Blazers and Prozingis from Wizards and created a super team. The drafting and trades are genius. I are on their way to multiple championships

[@erix4erix]

Thanks

[@brandonmoskos9149]

Rather have White over Smart any day. Stevens is a genius.

[@Defaultnameman]

Brad Steven’s is the goat

[@markt4605]

Best trade for the C’s since the Parrish trade of 1980, that allowed the C’s to draft McHale.

[@benjordan2606]

Last few vids seem to be performing better, keep your head up bro it’ll get better, you make great content

[@AlexHoops]

Really appreciate that man, thank you 🙏

[@GothPaoki]

For as much as Stevens was literally sleeping standing when he was a coach he really made a machine as a gm.

[@dekman8271]

What are you talking about Brad was a great head coach…

[@FilthyMcNasty69]

Brad was an amazing coach and always in talks for coach of the year

[@vincentlongaza8622]

Brad led the rebuilding celtics team to the playoffs with IT as the best player lol

[@Averagedre]

@@dekman8271his ATO plays were goated

[@mariacristinaolivares6224]

I wish KP and his team be the champ and him the mvp so our overly disrespectful and demanding Knicks fanbase start eating rocks. I'm a Knicks fan but shit the fanbase is really irritating me.

[@blackfreud9048]

Soooo, happy for Kristaps. He started on the awful Knicks, then mercifully was traded….now a ring! 💍

[@SoapyTaco]

Crazy thing about the trade is that KP had a player option so the Wizards couldn't ask for high comp back. Brad Stevens jumped on that and by using Smart as salary matching was able to work magic, getting picks AND an extension for less money. Wizards ended up getting Tyus Jones for a guy that was going to opt out so they got something for their troubles by letting Boston be able to acquire KP. On paper the Grizzlies looked like they were getting a guard that could defend the primary option and play next to Ja but we shall see next season if that works. Marcus Smart is a good player, there's a reason the Grizzlies wanted him.

[@MrCubswin1]

KP has always been underrated. His health has always been the issue. When healthy he is a problem.

[@joethumm8186]

He's a great player and a first rate ShotBlocker.... if you can keep them healthy !! Not being available during a playoff Run is not acceptable !!

[@RobbyTheGlitch]

Celtic's starting five no longer have a clear #1 option. They have a #1a, #1b, #1c, #2a & #2b. And their bench is a bunch of #3's on most other teams.

[@derbagger22]

I absolutely loved how Danny Ainge was ruthless in trades over his Boston GM career. But picking Brad Stevens as his coach to now have him as GM is maybe the most brilliant. Brad was a fantastic coach, but an absolute genius level GM...

[@jameshillarybalonda1222]

This Celtics tean is even more better than 2019 raptors, they are scary

[@melvincoleman595]

Porzingis is 7 foot 2 wow!

[@littleface]

7 foot 3 🍀

[@mikemix77]

KP had a weird right foot fadeaway motion while standing relatively still

[@jpdemer5]

So long as the ball goes through the hoop, he can move any way he likes.

[@noisepuppet]

I've been watching the NBA long enough to be a little surprised at the term "traditional stretch big." 😂 Yep, Kristaps isn't just your typical everyday unicorn.

[@richhoyle1254]

18!

[@AmandaabnamA]

The Knicks never have the odds in their favor

[@peymonbesh8620]

Celtics got it on lock. Not a Celtics fan but they OP

[@notacat7127]

They fleeced for him

[@Andy_Babb]

I hope the C’s can win it all again finally… I love that even if you hold down JT, JB and KP then you’ve still gotta deal with Jrue Holiday or D White or Al, and if Hauser has found his stroke then that’s one more guy to guard. Damnit I really want this one. Shut the league up and bring this one home to Boston!!

[@mondazebasketball]

if only Carlile used him properly like this MAVS might be a contender every season..

[@gregallan2842]

Holmgren drops his centre of gravity before going into his shot - note the knee bend. Needs to work on his upper body so he doesn't need to jump into his shot.

[@krzysztofkaplinski8603]

Tingis Pingis played well

[@TaeMinLee22]

Gotta love since the POD from a few a weeks back @AlexHoops is getting some much love !! Told ya we got you covered big dog 🔥🔥☄️

[@mugwump6400]

health health health. It was still a gamble: You could watch him grow every time he was able to stay healthy for some longer time. I just keep my fingers crossed, that this time he actually manages to stay healthy...

[@tukitukikakakaka]

One might call him a 🦄

[@antrodcampbell5340]

Only thing I hated about this trade was the clippers didn't take brogdan allow Boston to keep smart😢

[@kingjasko]

KP Did what he did thanks to dallas allowing him to do that, still props to him for being READY for it, what a beast he was this game!! mavs need to bounce back g2, i trust they will keep it competitive, if they do, they got a nice chance to win ofc

[@NotOneToFly]

Idk about that; who other than Wemby can really guard him?

[@patrickryan7400]

Dallas didn’t “ allow” him to do anything they had no answer for him. Even when covered well he was still drilling shots.

[@rob.j.g]

My man said “Nikola” right! 😮😮😮

[@MoonyD911]

To be Porzingis is only as good as when he is healthy and available. He has a very high likelihood of getting injured and being out of action. His skills have always been there from day one. Although before he has been very inconsistent.

[@leeabel3854]

There are 3 Celtics players KP, JT and JB respectively on the Chart for Best Post Players in 2023-2024 Regular Season. Good luck Dallas.

[@buragoy]

kudos to phil.😂

[@mrjonesyyy]

KP's actually on a good team now

[@frankiecalabria9713]

Need 2 more wins to make that statement. And KP got to stay on court see what happens tonight.

[@kasparszz]

Prepare a page for basketball history for Porzingis.

[@simpletreasure5281]

It will be Celtics in 4!!!

[@Rocky___________485]

As wizards fan it made no sense trading him. Bring back Ernie Garfield

[@onegenius6390]

I THANK YOU.

[@kierenmoore3236]

Did you have a choice? Wasn’t he just going to walk otherwise?

[@acidwizard6528]

@4:59 Stopping him is a "tall task". Get it? Tall task...

[@ryanq7145]

KP was drafted by Phil Jackson in 2015

[@generalfeed123]

unless he gets hurt again

[@sethaldrich6902]

Series is over, it’ll be a sweep, at worst a gentleman’s sweep