The summer of 2023 saw Kristaps Porzingis take his talents to the Boston Celtics via a trade that shook the franchise's foundation. The Celtics parted with the heart and soul of the team, Marcus Smart, after nine years in Boston.
"The most like, exciting feeling that you can get; just the idea of that," Porzingis told this author about the organization viewing him as the piece that would help put the Celtics over the top in their championship pursuit.
"That's why, as I said, it made it super easy, and it made [it] my complete favorite option was to come here to Boston. And that fire that I got from that idea is gonna gas me up for the rest of the summer and for my time being here."
As Porzingis ramped up for a season that culminated in the Celtics raising Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters, he planned on suiting up for the Latvian Men's National Basketball Team in their first FIBA World Cup appearance.
Kristaps Porzingis always wants to play for Team Latvia
Unfortunately, that plan got derailed by plantar fasciitis. Porzingis still accompanied the team for their games in Indonesia and the Philippines. Now, he'll make another attempt at taking the floor to represent his country.
"I want to or do not want to play for the national team -- this is a stupid question," the former NBA All-Star told Sportacentrs.com at a virtual media availability with representatives from European media platforms.
"Previous summers have failed because I was traumatized. I've never given up on the national team," Porzingis continued. "The times I haven't played, it's been because of injuries. I want this narrative to disappear in Latvia. I'll be here this summer! The main thing is health."
The seven-foot-two center last played for the Latvian men's national basketball team during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers. He generated 25.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game in the two matchups he participated in.
Now, he hopes to help propel Latvia through Group A at EuroBasket, which the country will co-host from Aug. 27 to Sep. 14. Their group play opposition will consist of Serbia, Czechia, Turkey, Estonia, and Portugal, per FIBA Basketball.
As the Celtics prepare for the start of the postseason, Porzingis spoke at the Auerbach Center about the opportunity he hopes is awaiting him when Boston's championship quest concludes.
"I haven't had the opportunity to represent my country for a while, unfortunately," voiced Porzingis. "And I always love, so much, playing for the national team. Honestly, it just gives me a burst of energy in the summertime. And to get back with my guys from the national team, it's just a different atmosphere in the national team, and I always look forward to it. I always try to be around the team as much as possible, too -- even when I'm hurt.
"And that's why I'm kind of surprised a lot of people think it's [because] I decide not to play sometimes; it's never happened in my career. I only haven't played because of some injuries, and, hopefully, I'll have a healthy playoff run now and then go into the summer healthy and have a great European championship with Latvia."