Tim Hardaway Sr., perhaps in support of his son and the Mavericks, spewed out a hot take regarding Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis.
The Boston Celtics have assembled one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the history of the NBA that they haven’t needed Jayson Tatum to be at his best, shooting-wise, to take a 2-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals. They have steamrolled the opposition thus far in the playoffs, losing only two games while winning 14, and that’s with Kristaps Porzingis missing 10 of those games due to a calf strain.
Porzingis made his triumphant return to the Celtics lineup in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, although he did not retake his starting position. The Celtics decided that bringing him off the bench is what’s best, and it’s hard to argue that this decision has not worked. Thus far in two NBA Finals games, Porzingis has a plus-minus of +25, with his +12 being a game-high in their win on Sunday night.
But some still aren’t convinced of the Celtics big man’s impact. Tim Hardaway Sr., the father of Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr., recently went on Fox Sports 1’s The Carton Show and declared that Boston is worse off whenever Porzingis is on the floor.
“A lot of people would disagree with me but I think the Boston Celtics play better without Porzingis in the lineup. I think the ball moves better, I think they get up and down quicker, I think they rebound the ball better. I think they’re a better offensive and defensive team when he’s not on the court,” Hardaway said.
Celtics fans will be all up in arms, and justifiably so, following Tim Hardaway Sr.’s opinion. Kristaps Porzingis turned the momentum of Game 1 with an 11-point first quarter, and in Game 2, he had 12 points and two emphatic blocks that helped keep the Mavericks at bay. Perhaps he just has the back of his son, and this is his way of showing his support to the Mavericks.
