What Georges Niang is willing to do to help the Celtics in Jayson Tatum's absence
The NBA journeyman arrived in Boston earlier this offseason following a massive trade that moved former Celtics starter Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks. Since Niang was traded for a fan favorite, he realizes that his homecoming isn't exactly a cause for celebration among Celtics fans.
To impress the Boston faithful, and atone for grabbing the knee of Celtics star Jaylen Brown back in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Niang is committed to immediately contributing to winning. He said as much on the "OGs" podcast with former NBA vets Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem, emphasizing that being a part of a losing squad is a death sentence in Boston.
"You don't want to be in Boston losing, that's for sure," he stressed. "What can I do this summer? Can I come in, in the best shape that I'm in, and also mentor, and kind of teach, and also learn — because (the Celtics) have won championships. And dial all that into one, and focus every day on how can I win the day, and then win games."
While Niang's role with the Celtics wouldn't be that significant in prior seasons, it is for the 2025-26 campaign. Tatum is down, multiple starters from last season are gone, and Boston is no longer one of the deepest teams in the league.
If Niang can hit his 3-pointers and hustle like he has along every other stop in his NBA career, perhaps Celtics fans will warm up to the New Englander. But, to earn that respect, winning is the ultimate key, and Niang understands that.
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