Sam Quinn of CBS Sports described the Dallas Mavericks’ period, which saw Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Kristaps Porzingis, and Dorian Finney-Smith all team up but fail to advance past the NBA postseason’s first round, as “pretty jarring.” Quinn was responding to Josh Eberley of HOOP, who focused more on the Boston Celtics center and Brooklyn Nets forward than on the Doncic-Brunson backcourt’s lack of success.
“I understand why it didn’t last, but just looking at where things sit today, the idea of a Luka, Brunson, Porzingis, DFS core not working just feels pretty jarring,” Quinn stated.
The Mavs did, of course, make it to the 2022 Western Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors, but Porzingis had already been traded to the Washington Wizards at the 2022 trade deadline. Kristaps Porzingis actually enjoys playing for the Boston Celtics, unlike his Mavs stint. Eberley had stated that the Doncic-Brunson one-two punch not staying together — and already being a duo discussed in that light — “stings so badly.”
The problems that existed when Porzingis was a member of the Mavs do not exist on the Celtics. And during the big man’s year and a half with the Washington Wizards under Wes Unseld, they weren’t even in the nation’s capital.
But with Doncic, under Rick Carlisle, and briefly with Jason Kidd? Porzingis acknowledged that he didn’t like the atmosphere in the locker room.
Fortunately, Boston is a very different place.
Since both Porzingis and Jaylen Brown received extensions during the previous offseason, the two have developed a full-fledged bromance off the court. He continues to support Joe Mazzulla. Every night, he gives his all on the field and voluntarily passes the ball to his elite teammates.
Overall, with Porzingis leading the way, everything in Boston went perfectly during the All-Star break. The easiest way to compare where Porzingis was a few years ago and where he is today is to say that one team’s loss is another’s gain.
