Maybe not! Not if you compare win-loss records with-and-without Porzingis. Boston has virtually identical records with Porzingis in action (.758, 25-8) as without him (.769, 10-3). The difference is minimal.
Last night's horrid loss to the Clippers may cause Celtics fans to lean towards blaming the trouncing on not having Kristaps on the floor. But maybe the Guys in Green were just plain flat and needed a few more offensive boards and second-chance points in the first half (per NBA.com's Kyle Hightower):
"The Celtics started flat, tying a season low for points in the first quarter (21). They also went the entire first half without registering a second-chance point."
This was a contest where Porzingis' presence may have made a difference. Boston started the game sluggishly - and never recovered. A few early offensive boards, second-chance points by the big guy - aided by a block or two - may have made the difference.
This morning, we hear various reasons for the upset - too many 3-pointers - ineffective bench, etc. Jayson Tatum will tell us it was "just one bad day at the office". Joe Mazzulla said it right:
“You're never as good as you think you are, you're never as bad as you think you are,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.
That's good enough for me. But despite the with-vs.-without-Porzingis stats, the game changes when he is in action. He is third on the team in points per game (19.5), behind only the Jay Team - first in blocks (1.8 BPG) - and second in rebounds (6.7 RPG).
Yes, Joe. The quality of this version of the Celtics can't be determined by their regular-season record. And if they are as bad as last night, heaven help them in the post-season. Just like Porzingis' value can't be rated by win-loss stats when he is on the court and off of it. Boston needs a healthy Kristaps for the playoffs. He is the third-most-valuable player for the Boys from Beantown.
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