Celtics
“They’re like, ‘You simply took our unicorn and changed him with a minivan. Get the [expletive] out of right here.”
The 2025-26 season figures to be a homecoming of types for Celtics large man Georges Niang, who was born in Lawrence and grew up in Methuen as a fan of the C’s.
However, the 32-year-old ahead doesn’t count on to obtain a heat reception at first of the 12 months at TD Backyard.
“I’m a Boston child,” Niang said during an appearance on “The OGs” podcast. “I then get traded for Kristaps Porzingis. [Podcast host and former Heat forward Udonis Haslem] is aware of how robust Boston followers are. They don’t give a [expletive] if I’m from Boston or not. They’re like, ‘You simply took our unicorn and changed him with a minivan. Get the [expletive] out of right here. … They need superstars.”
Past having the unenviable process of changing Porzingis in Boston’s now diminished frontcourt, Niang additionally has some historical past as a Celtics antagnoist.
Throughout Boston’s Sport 7 win over the 76ers through the 2023 Jap Convention Semifinals, Jaylen Brown was tripped up after Niang – who was sitting on the Sixers’ bench — reached out from his seat and appeared to seize Brown’s leg to sluggish him down at first of a fast-break alternative.
Brown vented on the Sixers’ bench after the play, with each Brown and Niang ultimately assessed technicals after the play in query was reviewed.
“I feel he simply thought, like, ‘Possibly let me simply attempt to seize him to sluggish him down a little bit bit,’” Brown said of Niang postgame. “I don’t suppose Niang’s a foul man or something. I work out with him within the offseason. I simply suppose he simply obtained caught up within the depth of the sport and made a play and I responded to it.
“I don’t know which means I ought to have responded to it. But when I didn’t do something it in all probability would have performed on. … I don’t suppose Niang was considering when he did it. I don’t suppose he’s a foul man, simply caught up within the emotion of the sport.”
Nonetheless, Niang might supply some worth to the Celtics as a veteran choice off the bench this upcoming season.
Over 79 video games (three begins) between the Cavaliers and Hawks final season, Niang averaged 9.9 factors, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He ought to slot in nicely on a workforce coached by Joe Mazzulla, contemplating that Niang transformed on 40.6 p.c of his photographs from 3-point vary in 2024-25.
“Boston has accomplished a great job of when guys miss video games — it’s their tradition,” Niang mentioned. “Like Georges, what are you able to do to maximise what you must assist them win video games? Since you don’t wish to be in Boston shedding. That’s how I’ve transitioned my mindset.
“What can I do that summer time? Can I are available in, in one of the best form that I’m in and likewise mentor and type of educate and likewise study as a result of they’ve gained championships and type of dial all that into one and focus day-after-day on how can I win the day and win video games? It’s type of been like a full-circle second from getting commerce from Cleveland to Atlanta to then again to Boston.”
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