Let’s be honest—watching the Celtics over the past month has been frustrating. Of all the head-scratching issues, none stands out more than the struggles of the starting five. Hard to believe, right? This group, once hyped as the NBA’s best starting lineup last season, came into the Magic game with a shocking -11.8 net rating in 147 minutes. That’s the third-worst mark in the league for lineups that have played 140 minutes or more. Yikes.

The lack of consistency—only 10 games together this season—and those slow starts? Not the Boston way. But things took a sharp turn against the Magic. After an embarrassing loss to the Raptors, the Celtics came out swinging, playing smarter offense and finding mismatches with Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum. The chemistry we’ve been waiting for finally clicked. The result? A 20-minute stretch where the starters outscored Orlando by 15 points, finishing with a +41 net rating in a much-needed 121-94 win.

In the middle of it all, Porzingis and Tatum opened up about what it’s really like dealing with Boston’s pressure, sky-high expectations, and the need for connection on and off the court.

“Spoiled” Expectations: Porzingis on Boston Basketball Culture

Kristaps Porzingis had a bold take on the Celtics’ culture: “This is honestly like it feels maybe much bigger just because it’s a big stage and we’re not supposed to lose. But I think here the fans and everybody is a little bit spoiled because you don’t know how it is to be on an under-500 team or being really struggling, not being able to get wins.”

Porzingis highlighted the stark difference between playing for Boston and other teams he’s been part of. While he acknowledged the high expectations as a privilege, he also hinted at the pressure it puts on players to deliver every night: “Of course the expectations are not the same, but still, as a player, you bite your teeth and you go to work the next day. But here, in a way, it’s an unbelievable privilege that we’re supposed to win every game. We go into every game almost as a favorite, if not every game.”

This level of expectation can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it pushes the team to excel; on the other, it leaves little room for error. For a player like Porzingis, who has experienced both sides of the spectrum, the Boston experience is unparalleled but demanding.

Connection Over Results: Tatum’s Perspective

While Porzingis focused on the culture, Jayson Tatum zeroed in on the team’s dynamics on the court. According to Tatum, the Celtics’ biggest issue isn’t talent—it’s connection: “I mean, results can vary, plus, minus, and things like that. But I think just how connected we were on both ends of the floor, especially on defense.”

Tatum elaborated on how crucial it is for everyone to be in sync, particularly when it comes to defense “Everybody was on the same page. We were connected, helping each other out. So regardless of the plus, minus sort of result of the game, I think just the way we went about it was a lot better today.” This idea of connection resonates deeply, especially in high-stakes games where every misstep is magnified. For Tatum, success lies not just in individual performances but in the collective effort to stay unified through wins and losses.

The Celtics are between expectations that are practiced and coming into growing pains. Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum did show us what it takes to successfully get through. Honesty, connection, and that horrible urge to improve oneself.

Boston fans, let’s keep cheering, critiquing, and supporting the team. All while reminding everyone that this is a process of growth, both on and off the court. After all, being a Celtics fan is as much about the experience as it is about the destination.