Celtics’ Title Hopes Hinge on Kristaps Porzingis

On a recent episode of ESPN’s Action Packed News, outspoken host Stephen A. Smith made a bold statement about the Boston Celtics’ championship aspirations. In a heated discussion with his co-hosts, Smith insisted that without Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics simply cannot win the NBA Finals.

Smith’s argument centered around the fact that the Celtics lack a true dominant big man who can make a difference in the paint. While the team does have All-Stars in Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, Smith believes that they are not enough to take down the top teams in the league. With the Golden State Warriors’ “Death Lineup” and the continued dominance of Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans, Smith argues that the Celtics need someone like Kristaps Porzingis in order to compete for a championship.

Porzingis’ Impact on the Court

There’s no denying the impact that Porzingis has on the court. The 7’3″ power forward/center is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. In his third season with the New York Knicks, he was averaging 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in February 2018.

With his size and versatility, Porzingis is a matchup nightmare for any team. He has the ability to stretch the floor and shoot from the perimeter, but also has the height and strength to dominate in the post. His presence on the court opens up opportunities for his teammates and makes the Knicks a much more dangerous team.

While Smith’s statement may have sparked some controversy, there is certainly some truth to it. The Celtics have been known for their strong team chemistry and depth, but in a league that is becoming increasingly dominated by star players, having someone like Porzingis could elevate their chances of winning a championship. Only time will tell if the Celtics will make a move for the injured star, but one thing is for sure: without Porzingis, their road to the NBA Finals just got a lot tougher.