NBA Notebook: Assistant coach D.J. MacLeay describes Kristaps Porzingis' impact on Celtics

Celtics assistant coach D.J. MacLeay, a 29-year-old in his third season with the team, arrives on the court at TD Garden early before he begins his warm-ups. It's his favorite moment every week, watching Kristaps Porziņģis emerge from the tunnel to a raucous ovation and greeting every fan he sees along the way to the floor to warm up with MacLeay. He's worked with big men throughout his ascension from a development coach on Ime Udoka's staff in 2022 to the front of Joe Mazzulla's bench after a standout career at Bucknell, where fellow Celtics assistant Charles Lee coached him as a freshman in 2014.

One year later, the Knicks drafted the Latvian prospect with the expectation that his diverse skill set could change his position and basketball. Injuries and other factors between New York and Dallas prevented that, diminishing the hype, but when Porziņģis arrived last summer after two successful seasons, largely under the radar, with the Wizards, even MacLeay arrived at Celtics camp surprised by just how much Porziņģis could do. 

That's why the Celtics pushed him, continuing his transition to a post-up player where he's posting historic numbers (1.42 points per possession) that have changed Boston's offense. His three-point shot draws defenders to half court, where he can roll or attack off the dribble. That's before addressing the defensive end, where the Celtics have used him in all of their schemes, including their 2-1-2 zone looks that became more common in recent weeks. Porziņģis adapted to all of them, smiling and thrilled daily at his new basketball reality. 

The Celtics have campaigned for all five of their starters to reach next month's All-Star Game and alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, Porziņģis' dominance at center gives him the best chance to give Boston a rare third representative in the game despite Derrick White's strong December push. Saturday marks the final day for fan voting, the significant portion of the selection process for starters in which Tatum ranked third, Brown fifth and Porziņģis sixth among eastern conference frontcourt players. White finished seventh amongst the guards in the last round of voting results on Thursday. 

"To be completely honest, my focus is so low on that," Porziņģis told Boston Sports Journal on Friday. "The only focus is to keep winning. If we're No. 1 in the league, I think those things will take care of themselves, but I would say even the importance for me, compared to the beginning of my career, is so much lower now. I can't even compare it. I know what my main goal is and what I'm here for so again, as I've said before, if we just keep winning, those individual accolades will take care of themselves." 

Porziņģis learned that morning he'd receive the Nikola Jokić assignment in single coverage despite playing a variety of defensive roles at center on and away from the ball. While Jokić, a basketball mastermind as Porziņģis later called him, hit him with leaners, spin moves and lulled him to sleep in other moments before making a quick move or pass, Porziņģis' similarly diverse skill set challenged the Nuggets' big man at the other end. A potential NBA Finals preview became the battle of the bigs in the first quarter, Jokić scoring inside, then Porziņģis out-running him to the three-point line the other way. 

Friday's matchup felt like a playoff game, both teams changing their matchups away from the one-on-one battle as the game progressed. Al Horford checked in next to Porziņģis and challenged Jokić along with some fourth-quarter zone. Denver took Jokić off Porziņģis and moved Aaron Gordon and other wings onto him while switching everything late. That move proved most effective, securing a narrow 102-100 in the first of two, or more, meetings this season between arguably the most skilled bigs in each conference. For Porziņģis, it became another step in his push to do more for the Celtics. 

When Denver showed him crowds, he made the pass to Horford in the corner. When Jamal Murray defended him, he walked past as if nobody was there and when Gordon rotated, he drew free throws. The Celtics hope to see his passing flash as he draws two more often and Joe Mazzulla admitted after the tough defeat, Boston should've fed Porziņģis in the post in crunch time. 

"We didn’t force it,” Porziņģis said. “I had two post-ups, missed both that are good looks for me. It’s probably different if I make just one of those, maybe we go back two more times. I’m there, ready. I love punishing these guys because we create a mismatch. If Joker is guarding me, then I get those pops and I shoot threes, and they rotate and we make the next play, but if they put a guard on me, I want to make them pay … rebound and post-up and get those fouls. Probably, there were situations where I could’ve done a better job finding that moment to duck in and be aggressive. I’m ready if that’s what we need as a team.”

Here's our conversation with Porziņģis' position coach D.J. MacLeay about his first season with the Celtics...

BSJ: When did you figure out you were going to be working with Porziņģis individually? 

MacLeay: "We sorted all that out some time right around the summer league. So I kind of knew that I was going to be working with him. I was really excited about it. It was a really special player, so you get that opportunity to coach him, it was just really, really special. Once that happened, I actually planned a trip to Latvia and then he had a couple of things come up. We ended up not even really connecting until we got here in September." 

You weren't able to link up with him in Latvia? 

"No, (Celtics director of rehab) Steve Mount went over there to talk to him or to meet him and get to know him and I was going to go over there, but because of some of the stuff that was going on with his team and his own personal stuff, we ended up not doing that. I ended up connecting with him and his coach more in September ... we touched base via text but not really anything in person." 

What was it like integrating him once camp started ... things different for him, what were those first couple of weeks like trying to get him ready for the things you guys do? 

"I think two things about K.P. Number one, I think he's really open minded, which was really a special thing. He didn't come in with a super strict set of expectations, whether it was scheme, whether it was what we were doing, how we were using or attempting to use him. And then he's also really smart and adaptable. I think that those two things really come to mind when I was initially talking to him and sharing some of the information that we had on him and some of the things that we thought he could be better at and he was really good about being open minded and then also embracing that and accepting it. It was really impressive of the information he was able to digest and then apply really quickly." 

What were the things you were stressing early on ... the defense especially ... trying to get him to do some different things than he's used to?

"I think in general integrating them into our system was the number one thing. His best ability the defensive end is protecting the rim. So that was obviously something that we talked a lot about and then we just talked a lot about switching more, doing different types of defenses. What primarily we were asking of him, in terms of scheme, and then kind of go from there." 

Has his success on that end surprised you at all? Are there still steps for him to go in terms of where you want him to be by the end of the year? 

"So I thought he was really good before we got him. He's exceeded all those prior expectations. I think he's really, really unique in his size and ability to protect the rim, alter shots, deter shots and then I think there's definitely room for improvement, but in general, I think he's one of the top rim protectors in the league, top-10, top-15. And then he's also doing a good job switching, he's doing a good job rebounding. So I think he's done a lot of the things we're asking him and he's been really good." 

Offensively, the post numbers are just monstrous. What's allowed him to have so much success there and consistency to maintain that high number in terms of his efficiency inside? 

"I think one of the things we just have talked about day in and day out is just general physicality and then putting his imprint on the game through that physicality. I think you see that in the post, you see that at the nail, you see that at the elbow. That's something when he is at his best offensively, and when we're at our best offensively, there's some integration of that physicality and there's some nuance to what we're trying to do, but generally speaking, just having a presence about himself, being physical, getting to his spots, things like that." 

Was there anything different in terms of how he needs to screen here, things he had to get used to in terms of how you guys do things in the offense? 

"One of the things I thought we had to learn about him was his roll-to-pop ratio. He has a really good feel for that on his own. For us, it was something that we had to learn about and he's been really good about navigating both, whether it's different types of coverages or what we're asking him to do from game-to-game, roll, pop, different types of roles and pops, different types of attacks versus each defense you see." 

What's the routine been like with him? Getting to work with him ... what's it been like for you getting to work day-in and day-out with him ... how'd you try to challenge him? 

"It's an interesting thing. I think it's an interesting question. The one thing you notice immediately about K.P. when you're working with him is he can basically do anything on the basketball court, on the offensive end, and then he can do a lot on the defensive end as well in terms of what you're asking of him. He can just basically do it whether it's ball-handling, shooting, shooting off the bounce, in the post, at the nail. He just has all these different assets. I think the biggest challenge is not always relying on that skill set. Like I've mentioned, putting that physical imprint on what he's doing. I think he's really embraced that he's been so good, post numbers allude to that. His pop numbers and roll numbers allude to that. I think he's improved as a screener. Credit to him on that." 

Have you almost had him in that (Robert Williams) role this year (on defense)? Is that how you've envisioned using him or is it a little bit different? 

"Some things are similar, some things are different. He's a different player and I think that using both of their skill sets has been something that we try to do defensively. The reality is, I think as a team and as a group, we are trying to find solutions, schematically, both for him and for a team that are best game-to-game. And I think we've done a good job of that and I think he's embraced that which includes him doing different things, matchup wise him being in different coverages. I think that's a huge weapon for us and something that we've really tried to emphasize and grow and something that Joe's really emphasized." 

What's he like as a personality?

"One of the first days I was with him, he used the word tranquillo. One of the things a lot of people don't know about him is, I don't know how he would respond to this, but to me, he speaks Spanish more than he does any other language. And I think he really appreciates, for whatever reason, because of his time over there, he really likes Spanish and the word tranquillo. One of the first days we were in the gym, he came up to me and I was like, man, I really admire your personality. You're very loose, but also very focused and he said, 'tranquillo.'" 

Did you know that one or did you have to ask? 

"I knew it growing up in San Antonio." 

Is that how he and Al (Horford) communicate on the court sometimes? 

"I don't know if they communicate on the court, but they definitely talk. You'll be going through a walk through it and then they'll start speaking in Spanish to each other, which is great. I can understand some of it, but I don't know exactly. Those two guys are smarter than I am."

He's talked a lot about his growth and his maturation and how happy he is being here. Is that something you guys have talked about at all? 

"I think one of the unique things for him coming here was being in this winning environment and being on a team that has a chance to do great things and, and being a part of that process each day. I think to me working with him every day, he really has embraced that ... being a part of this team and this organization is a really cool thing because I feel that joy and I feel that humility and gratefulness to be a part of the Celtics, which is really cool." 

He's been super healthy this year, (injuries have) obviously been a thing in the past with him that people have talked about. Do you see something with his routine or his process at this point ... that have kept him on the court? 

"I don't know if I want to speak too much to that. I think his work day-to-day with Steve Mount has been incredible. Those two have been very consistent. Steve's really good at what he does." 

Where do you think his presence, on the court of off the court, if you had to point to one thing where he's changed this team the most ... what would you point to? 

"That's a good question. There's a lot. I would say one word would be versatility. He can do so much. It's impressive." 

Here's what else happened around the NBA this week...

Boston (32-10): Lost their 20-0 home start with a 102-100 loss to the Nuggets marked by a crunch-time offensive collapse and breakout performances allowed to Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The loss could raise some eyebrows, and tough road games loom in Houston, Dallas and Miami next week, but Joe Mazzulla chalked the loss up to some misses in a Finals-like schematic battle between arguably the league's two best teams. Jordan Walsh made his NBA debut in the final three minutes of the Celtics' blowout win over the Spurs two days prior, grabbing four rebounds in his call-up. 

They pounded former coach Ime Udoka's Rockets on Saturday after Udoka told reporters he filled in former players on the details of his suspension to help repair key relationships after his firing from Boston. Both sides sounded content in moving on. Celtics players largely declined to comment on him. 

“It was definitely a weird process," Jaylen Brown said. "We kind of knew what was going on, but then there was a time where we were hearing speculation that there was more to it,” Brown said. “It turned out there wasn’t anything else but what we already knew. Definitely a peculiar situation, but overall I’m just happy to see him back on his feet, back coaching on the sidelines where he belongs. I was happy it ended up working out for both parties.”

Charlotte (9-30): Lost 17-of-18 before sneaking past the Spurs on Friday. Former Celtics Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier will be worth watching ahead of the deadline, with Hayward a potential buyout candidate (who wouldn't be eligible to sign in Boston) playing on an expiring contract. Rozier, averaging a career-high 24.0 PPG on 46.1% shooting, received mention as a Heat fit by Zach Lowe and Bill Simmons. He's signed three years, $74.7 million. 

Chicago (20-23): Creeped closer to .500 with a win over the Raptors, their fifth over their last seven games, but they moved further from trading Zach LaVine when the star guard fell with an ankle injury just seven games back from his foot ailment. LaVine will miss 1-2 weeks with the right ankle sprain, on the same foot he missed time with previously, as the trade deadline looms less than three weeks away. His injury previously limited his market. 

Cleveland (24-15): Haven't been derailed by Darius Garland and Evan Mobley's injuries, winning six straight and 8-of-10 to climb to the fourth spot in the east after unloading, 135-95, on the Bucks on Wednesday. Their schedule softened across six games to open the new year, topping the Wizards twice and unable to beat the Raptors before they disbanded later in the month, but they're back up to No. 3 in defense and making the case for the franchise to continue to invest in this season after a difficult early playoff loss and star to the following year. Garland (jaw) won't travel on the team's road trip.

Dallas (24-18): Pursued Pascal Siakam unsuccessfully, raising some interest in how the team could otherwise solidify its front court ahead of their playof push. Grant Williams' struggles continued ahead of his first meeting with his former Celtics team on Tuesday at 8:30 in Dallas, shooting 26.3% from deep since Christmas. That dropped him to 36.9% 3PT in his highest-volume shooting season yet. He's only started one game over that span in favor of Derrick Jones Jr. As Dallas assesses forward upgrades, any one of Jerami Grant, Andrew Wiggins, PJ Washington and former Mavs wing Dorian Finney-Smith could land with the team ahead of the deadline, according to Jake Fischer. They also have interest in Wizards center Daniel Gafford. 

Denver (29-14): Lost to the 76ers to begin their east coast trip, seeing Philadelphia mix coverages on Nikola Jokic before Boston did the same to little success in a 34-point performance with 12 rebounds and nine assists. Jamal Murray shot 15-for-21 in a devastating effort highlighted by second and fourth quarter runs leading Denver's second unit. The Celtics limited everyone else, but the league's top duo beat out Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. 

Detroit (4-37): Traded Marvin Bagley III to the Wizards after extending him (3yr, $37.5M) two years ago then largely not playing him in a loaded back court. Front court favorite Isaiah Livers went to Washington in the deal too, along with two second-round picks, to clear additional cap space this summer. Expiring contracts and former Celtics Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala went to Detroit in the deal, making them eligible to sign with Boston if the Pistons decide to waive them later. Detroit broke its latest losing streak against Washington after, returning to its ways in a narrow loss to Minnesota. Cade Cunnigham (knee) received clearance for basketball activity and is expected to return to the lineup sometime over the next week. 

Indiana (24-17): Traded Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis and three first-round picks in a three-team deal to land Raptors star Pascal Siakam and raise their standing in the east. The Pacers will send Toronto their 2024 and 2026 first-rounders, along with the worst of several other team's first-round picks (currently OKC). Siakam scored 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting in his Indiana debut on Friday in a loss to the Blazers. There is optimism Siakam, who Adrian Wojnarowski reported is happy with the deal, will re-sign with the Pacers this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. 

"He's a guy that we've coveted for a long time," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 

Indiana reportedly originally pursued a deal for both Siakam and OG Anunoby, and retained Obi Toppin in the ensuing trade, among other young players, to pursue additional upgrades ahead of the trade deadline. 

Houston (19-21): A 145-113 loss in Boston set off a three-game losing streak to cap an east coast swing where the team lost 5-of-6. Ime Udoka said he wished teams guarded Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum as passively as the Rockets did in the loss, with Dillon Brooks and potentially Tari Eason's availability for the rematch on Sunday in Houston creating some hope. First, they yielded 41 points to Joel Embiid and stalled at New York. 

Golden State (18-22): The NBA postponed the Warriors' games against the Jazz and Mavericks late this weekend after 46-year-old Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević died after suffering a heart attack at a team dinner in Salt Lake City. He joined Steve Kerr's staff in 2021 after thriving as a player and coach in his native Serbia, playing a part in a young Nikola Jokic's development. Raptors coach and friend Darko Rajakovic ran a play in his honor. 

"We are absolutely devastated by Dejan Milojević’s sudden passing," Kerr said in a team statement. "This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredibly difficult time for his family, friends, and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him."

Clippers (26-14): Welcomed reporters inside the Intuit Dome the Clippers will move into in Inglewood next season before hosting the 2026 All-Star Game. The wall in the arena, perhaps its most highly-touted feature alongside its many bathrooms by owner Steve Ballmer, will feature unique restrictions on who can purchase tickets with requirements to prove Clippers fandom. That includes having a uniform, subscribing to the team's broadcasts or attending a game within the past three years. Fans in the section won't be allowed to cheer for visiting teams, which will impact Celtics fans who live in or visit LA.

Lakers (21-22): Discussed a Dejounte Murray trade with the Hawks before negotiations reportedly stalled around a framework including D'Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2029 first-round pick. An unwillingness to move Austin Reaves along with limited future draft capital could prevent LA from getting as aggressive as other potential suitors like the Knicks, Spurs and Nets, though Brooklyn also reportedly stood down when Atlanta requested two future first-round picks for its star guard. Without a consistent three-point shot and with the Hawks under no pressure to move him, it's hard to imagine a deal crossing the finish line here. ESPN reported that a Zach LaVine trade, long rumored for the Lakers, is not happening. Something has to break though, with another excruciating loss following a 24-point second half loss to the Nets. 

"It's over for the excuses," Darvin Ham said.

Miami (24-18): Host the Celtics for their second meeting this season on Tuesday, following a convincing home opener win for Boston in October. The Heat saw rookie Jaime Jaquez key more consistent play since, along with Bam Adebayo's best production of his career. Change feels inevitable ahead of the deadline after a relatively quiet summer, with Kyle Lowry and Nikola Jovic reportedly available in trade talks. Tyler Herro replaced Lowry in the starting lineup for Friday's loss against the Hawks. They're among the teams interested in Dejounte Murray, according to Chris Haynes. 

Milwaukee (28-13): However interested they become in making upgrades, they're limited to two second-round picks and don't have any firsts to deal after trading for Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, respectively. Like the Celtics and other second-apron teams, they're also limited to buyout players who made less than the mid-level exception, roughly $12 million. It's next to impossible for them to get involved in the Dejounte Murray sweepstakes. 

Minnesota (30-11): Alone atop the west after four straight wins, including an impressive comeback against the battered Grizzlies led by Anthony Edwards scoring 26 of his 28 points in the second half. Two came from what he considered the best dunk of his young career, a self-pass off glass. 

New Orleans (25-18): Played a tiny role in the Pascal Siakam trade, dumping Kira Lewis' salary to the Pacers with a 2026 second-round pick to get under the luxury tax. That could say something about their deadline approach though. It's hard to believe they'll add to their salary after making such a move despite ranking fifth in the west into January. Teams that move below the tax line receive a payment from tax teams. They've never paid the tax. 

New York (25-17): Reportedly interested in trading 3-and-D prospect Quentin Grimes to further upgrade the roster after his demotion to the bench earlier this season. Grimes remains an efficient shooter (37.9% 3PT) and is the team's best perimeter defender behind OG Anunoby. He doesn't turn 24 until next season. The NY Post reported the Rockets, Grizzlies, Hawks and Jazz have interest in the young guard. He's only averaging 19 minutes per game.

Oklahoma City (28-13): Thunder guard Josh Giddey will not face charges following allegations that he engaged in a relationship with an underage girl. Newport Beach police closed their investigation into Giddey after social media posts showed Giddey with the girl, though the NBA investigation into the matter is ongoing, according to AP. Giddey and Oklahoma City have declined comment since the controversy emerged and he has continued to play. 

"After a thorough and exhaustive examination, we have completed our investigation into information that was circulating on social media involving Josh Giddey," police said. "Our detectives have reviewed all of the available information and were unable to corroborate any criminal activity." 

Phoenix (23-18): Healthy, winning four straight and reportedly active ahead of the trade deadline, able to trade four second-round picks and Grayson Allen to upgrade the roster around their three stars. Devin Booker scored 50 points against the Pelicans, scoring Phoenix' seventh win over 10 games. 

Portland (12-29): In their most boring season in recent memory, Deandre Ayton sparked national interest by missing their win over the Nets due to an ice sheet in his driveway and neighborhood. Ayton reportedly tried with help from the team for hours to get to the game, but couldn't make it in an incident sources revealed truly happened. He returned on Friday, also marking his first appearance after an 11-game stretch with a knee injury. 

San Antonio (7-34): Got their a** kicked, according to Gregg Popovich, by the Celtics on Wednesday in Victor Wembanyama's first trip to Boston. The rookie sensation received oohhs-and-aahhs from the crowd on his way to 27 points in 27 minutes, praising the arena and the Celtics team that won despite missing two starters. Popovich teased Derrick White pre-game, who missed the Boston win after turning his ankle in the previous game. 

Toronto (16-26): An emotional week for the franchise between Darko Rajaković losing a close friend in Dejan Milojević and GM Masai Ujiri trading the final beloved member of the 2019 Raptors championship team in Pascal Siakam. The rebuild begins in Toronto, and we'll learn by the fall whether it's a reset, or a long-term step back for the franchise. Bringing back Bruce Brown allows them to bring back even more assets if they trade him in an ensuing move, though they do maintain a team option for the second year of his contract. Their first-round pick, owed to the Spurs this year, is 1-6 protected.