Boos Surround Kristaps Porzingis as MSG Gives Celtics Star a “True New York” Welcome

The Boston Celtics are going head-to-head against the New York Knicks. To make things tougher, the Celtics are playing in Madison Square Garden in front of a passionate Knicks fanbase. The Knicks fans made it known ahead of the game that Jayson Tatum and Co. were not welcome on their home court. The MSG crowd gave the Celtics a “True New York” welcome as the arena filled with loud boos during their pre-game introductions.

The boos got even louder when former Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis’ name got announced. The reaction was surprising as Porzingis was one of the most beloved stars in New York when he played for the Knicks. Even Porzingis was taken aback by the loud boos and had a huge grin on his face during his introduction. Maybe the Center expected a different reaction from the fans on his return to MSG.

Porzingis started his NBA career with the Knicks after he got drafted 4th overall in 2015. Many Knicks fans did not know who Porzingis was and filled the arena with boos when Adam Silver announced his name on draft night. New York fans believed the Knicks blew the draft and Porzingis would be a bust.

However, the Center proved everyone wrong and became a star. He had an incredible rookie season and got his first All-Star nod in his third season with the Knicks. Unfortunately, an Achilles injury halted Porzingis’ momentum. In 2019, Porzingis expressed his desire to get traded, and the Knicks sent him to the Dallas Mavericks. Maybe the Knicks fans booed Porzingis tonight because they still have a salty taste in their mouth from the 2019 trade.

Kristaps Porzingis continues to prove his critics wrong

Porzingis’ NBA career started with a lot of criticism and doubt. However, the 28-year-old continues to prove his critics wrong even to this day. Porzingis became a part of the Boston Celtics before the start of this season and has been a major reason for the team’s success. He is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Porzingis is averaging 20.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in a team stacked with star players. He is a solid two-way player who has helped the Celtics stay on top of the Eastern Conference standings.

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Jayson Tatum claimed Porzingis was the missing piece the Celtics needed to win a Championship. “Whatever path that I’m on and we’re on, KP really feels like the missing piece.” Tatum even compared Porzingis to Hall of Famer Pau Gasol during the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 Championship runs: “Kobe really needed Pau for those last two championships that they won together.” While those are some massive shoes to fill, Porzingis can do it by helping Jayson Tatum and Co. win a title this season.