Boston Celtics marquee offseason splash was tired as 1A or 1B option on losing team: Analyst

CelticsBlog's Trevor Hass sees the 2023-24 Boston Celtics having "2008 vibes" -- aka, capable-of-winning-a-championship-vibes -- due to the strong play and sacrifice from the team's blockbuster offseason splashes, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and the rest of the starting five.

Regarding the sacrifice of Porzingis in particular, Hass relayed that the Latvian center was tired of being the "1A or 1B option on a below-average team," a clear shot at the 2022-23 Washington Wizards; and to a lesser extent, the Dallas Mavericks for several seasons prior.

"Kristaps Porzingis is tired of life as the 1A or 1B option on a below-average team and just wants to win," Hass wrote before crediting Holiday's championship experience and Derrick White's glue-guy tendencies for why the Cs have those 2008 vibes.

Boston Celtics looking to emulate Warriors dynasty's model

The Celtics came into the season looking to emulate the Golden State Warriors model that led to several championships with the likes of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant; all of them star scorers in their own right.

“It seems the Celtics want to emulate (the Warrior’s) model,” Boston.com’s Colin McCarthy prefaced before saying, “Tatum and Brown have reached the finals once, but are still looking for the grand prize that’s alluded them. Having Porzingis and Holiday may give them their best chance yet at the title. Stats aren’t on their minds, a championship is.”

Porzingis pointed out this approach on October 14 during the preseason.

“That’s the thing about being on a good team, everybody has to sacrifice a little bit,” Porzingis prefaced before saying, “That’s what you can see with this group. Everybody is willing to sacrifice for a bigger goal.”

This mentality has permeated the Celtics thus far. If it continues to, and the Cs can stay healthy, Boston could be the team to beat in June.