Georges Niang just said what every Celtics fan has been thinking about him

Georges Niang will become the 11th Massachusetts native to suit up for the Boston Celtics this fall if he isn’t traded before opening night. It’s a rare feat with so few players from the Commonwealth sitting on the home side of parquet.

Yet, for Niang, the welcome hasn’t been that of a local hero. Instead, the response from fans online has been mostly negative.

While some NBA players can ignore social media and block out the noise, Niang has heard it all.

“I’m a Boston kid,” Niang told Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller on “The OGs” podcast. “I then get traded for Kristaps Porzingis. You (Haslem) know how tough Boston fans are. They don’t give a s--- if I’m from Boston or not. They’re like, ‘You just took our unicorn and replaced him with a minivan. Get the f--- out of here.’”

Some of the negative reaction undoubtedly stems from how the Minivan made his way back to Massachusetts. Porzingis was a beloved Celtic by many, though he struggled to stay on the court at times. Being the return for KP in a salary-shedding trade, is a tough spot for Niang to start his Celtics career in.

A fair amount of the fanbase was still holding a years-old grudge against Georges, too. In the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the then-Philadelphia 76ers forward got into a back-and-forth with Jaylen Brown after the Celtics star fell into Philly’s bench and Niang grabbed his leg.

That conglomerate has calmed down quite a bit, since the two were seen enjoying the Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun WNBA game at TD Garden last week.

Georges Niang is ready to help the Celtics win in any way he can

For Niang, the reaction says less about his game and more about the high standards to which the organization is held.

“Okay, obviously JT (Jayson Tatum) is out. But, Boston has done a really good job of (staying competitive) when guys miss games. It’s their culture, it’s who they are.”

Those who aren’t familiar with his game may not see the six-foot-eight forward as a winning player. Ironically, winning is all he’s done this decade. Niang has more wins than any other NBA player since 2020 with 277.

He’s clearly ready to continue that trend with the Celtics

"It’s like, ‘Okay, Georges, now what can you do to maximize what you have to help them win games?’ You don’t want to be in Boston losing, that’s for sure.”

Though the situation is bleak with Tatum presumably sidelined for the season with a ruptured Achilles, Niang is still looking to contribute in any way possible.

“What can I do this summer? Can I come in the best shape that I’m in and also mentor, teach, and also learn because they’ve won championships? How can I dial all of that into one and try and win each day?”

The Lawrence native is actually the sixth-highest scoring player from the Bay State, totalling 4,046 points across nine NBA seasons with the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.

Last season with the Cavaliers and Hawks, he averaged a career-high 9.9 points per game while shooting 46.1% from the field and 40.6% from beyond the arc. Niang’s three-point shot has always been elite, and he has a proven track record of being a gritty defender. His profile not only makes him a great fit within Boston’s high-volume three-point offense, but also within the city’s hardworking culture.