Felger & Mazz: Thoughts on the Kristaps Porzingis injury

The Boston Celtics announced on Wednesday that the newly acquired Kristaps Porzingis has plantar fasciitis and will miss the FIBA World Cup for Latvia. On Wednesday's Felger and Mazz, Mazz and Jim Murray gave their thoughts on the injury.

Thoughts on the injury....

Jim Murray: Kristaps Porzingis has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He will engage in a 4 to 6 week rehab program and is expected to be cleared for the start of training camp. "Expected to", those are the two words that that stick out to me the most because you'll have to forgive me if I don't take the Celtics at their word given their recent history on downplaying injuries that turned out to be way worse. Specifically Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. You find out they have to have like this reconstructive surgery in Kyrie Irving's knee and then Kemba Walker's knee had basically turned to crackers. So they turn out to be way worse. And the other thing I find interesting about this that kind of hit me over the last day, because we first get it from some Latvian basketball Twitter account that Porzingis isn't going to play in the FIBA World Cup. Then Porzingis says of himself on his Twitter account in Latvian. Porzingis, to me, by doing that violated the Celtics code of how to handle these things. He publicly acknowledged and identified an injury by name which then forced the Celtics to comment on it this morning. Again, given their history and that he called it out first, I think this thing might be worse than it actually is. Like one thing I believe when it comes to basketball injuries, lower extremity injuries, foot injuries on big men? Bad. That's it. Like that's a simple equation. So I just I think this thing might be worse than it actually is.

Mazz: There are a million guys in that league who if you look at why their careers ended, it is because of foot problems. Now, some more later in their careers. Kevin McHale was later in his career. Some happened earlier in their careers. Some happened in their prime years. Some guys never had their career really blossom. Bill Walton's career was destroyed by foot injuries. Bill Walton was, in some people's eyes, the greatest center who ever played. The point being, Porzingis is on the younger side, but feet with basketball players = bad combination. Foot injuries in basketball players = bad combination. And as it pertains to Porzingis and the Celtics, if the Celtics put the kibosh on this, they heard about it and Porzingis reached out, they should have. I'm with the Celtics on that one. We just acquired you and we gave you a two year extension at $60 million, $30 million per and we're trying to win a championship, no, you're not playing for the Latvian team. Sorry not going to happen. And if this was Porzingis's his way of sort of spitting back at them and saying, well I'm going to release the details of it because I have to explain to my countrymen why I'm not playing in this, because I'm expected to play, I'm going to come out and say it. But if the Celtics got in the way, him playing in this thing, they should have.

Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!

The Boston Celtics, donned in their iconic emerald green and pristine white, have been graced by legendary players whose names resonate through the revered halls of the TD Garden, leaving an indelible mark on the history of basketball. Proudly displayed alongside the 17 NBA championship banners are the numbers and names of 24 transcendent figures, forever enshrined as immortal legends in the heart of Boston.

One of the latest additions to the pantheon of Celtics greats is Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. In March 2022, the arena erupted with thunderous cheers as his jersey ascended to the rafters, solidifying his place in the Celtics' lore. Garnett's impact on the team extended far beyond his awe-inspiring talent, as he earned the coveted title of Defensive Player of the Year in the 2007-08 season.

The pinnacle of Garnett's journey with the Celtics arrived in the same season when they clinched the 2008 NBA championship, etching their names into the annals of history once again. Such triumphs are woven into the very essence of the Celtics' existence, a testament to their ability to cultivate legends and celebrate greatness.

Beyond the confines of basketball, the Celtics embody tradition, excellence, and perseverance. With an impressive collection of 17 NBA titles, they proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with their fierce rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, in the pantheon of championship triumphs. Boasting an astounding 22 appearances in the NBA Finals, the Celtics' indomitable spirit continues to shine brightly.

Yet, achieving this legendary status was no fleeting feat. The foundation of their dynasty lies in the players who have proudly donned the green and white, each contributing their unique talents to the team's ongoing success. The Celtics' pull for greatness is evident in the staggering 41 members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame who have either played or coached for the team. This magnetism is further exemplified by the tradition of retiring 24 numbers, the highest honor bestowed upon players in North American professional sports.

We embark on a journey through the long list of Celtics legends, their numbers and names forever gracing the rafters of the TD Garden, among the championship banners, serving as an enduring tribute to the unwavering spirit of the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics’ all-time leader in games played (1,106) and rebounds (11,501), Parish was a core piece of some legendary Celtics teams throughout the 80s. Parish was a 7-time all star throughout his 14 seasons in Boston, and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Walter Brown wasn’t a player, but rather the founder of the Celtics back in 1949. A 7-time NBA champion, Brown was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1965.

The legendary Celtics coach won 9 NBA titles, including 8 straight from 1958 to 1966. Auerbach was included in the NBA 75th anniversary team as one of the greatest coaches of all time.

Johnson was a key piece in Boston’s 1985 championship run and is considered to be one of the best guards in team history. His number was retired in 1991, just a year after his retirement.

The legendary power forward was a member of Boston’s vaunted “Big 3” that won the NBA Championship in 2008.

The legendary Russell won 11(!) championships and had his number retired league-wide this past season, the first player in NBA history to receive this honor.

White, a 7-time all star and 2-time NBA champion, had his number retired in 1982.

The “Houdini of the Hardwood”, Cousy revolutionized the point-guard position en route to 13 All-Star appearances for the Celtics.

A 6-time NBA champion as a player with the Celtics, local product Tom Heinsohn won 2 more titles as a head coach in Boston, bringing his total up to 8.

“Satch” played in 450 consecutive NBA games en route to 8 NBA championships with Boston.

Havlicek, one of the greatest guards in NBA history, also committed the most notable steal in NBA history against the 76ers in 1965.

“Big Red” helped the Celtics stay successful following the retirement of Bill Russell, winning 2 NBA championships with the squad.

Nelson, a 5-time NBA champion, spent 31 years as a head coach following the conclusion of his career.

A remarkable free-throw shooter, Sharman won 4 NBA championships with Boston and made 8 All Star teams.

Macauley was a 6-time all star with Boston and was the first All-Star game MVP in NBA history.

A 7-time NBA champion and remarkable 6th man, Ramsey etched his name in Celtics history as one of the greatest bench players of all time.

Jones won 10 NBA championships with Boston and retired having won a championship in over 80% of his seasons with the team.

Jones was a champion with Boston as both a player and a coach. He would retire with 10 championships, 8 as a player and 2 as a coach.

Maxwell, a 2-time NBA champion, also won a finals MVP in 1981. He also led the NBA in FG% twice.

The legendary McHale established himself as one of the greatest power forwards of all time as the NBA’s first back-to-back DPOY winner, and solidified himself as a Celtics legend with 3 NBA championships.

Considered by many to be the greatest scorer of all time, Bird made 12 all-star teams over the course of his 13 year career, and also won 3 straight NBA MVP awards and 2 finals MVP awards.

Drafted by a struggling Celtics team in 1998, Pierce would help lead the team to a championship ten years later. “The Truth” is the icon of the 21st century Celtics, and continues to be a fervent supporter of the team in retirement.

Lewis’s life was tragically cut short due to cardiac arrest at the age of 27, but he established himself as a legend in Boston throughout his brief career. A one-time NBA all star, Lewis was also the all-time leading scorer in Northeastern University history.

Loscutoff requested that the Celtics not retire his number 18, and instead retire his nickname. A 7-time NBA champion, “Loscy” was a key component of Boston’s 1950s-1960s dynasty.