Picks 'n Pops: More Porzingis, a different kind of bird at the Garden, and hurdles

Every week I gather some thoughts about the Celtics, the NBA, and beyond and dump them here. Because I think I sprung forward a little too far this week.

- The Celtics and Nuggets will meet in the Abu Dhabi games next preseason. Looks like the NBA script-writers have already determined the Finals participants, so now it’s up to Zach Zarba, Bill Kennedy, and Tony Brothers to drum up some drama before carrying out the final plan.

… oh no I think I might have said too much. 

- One lesson I hope the Celtics take from this recent stretch is that Kristaps Porzingis needs to be promoted to involvement in most of the crunch-time offense. If he’s not, then why the hell did Brad Stevens even trade for him?

- There was some consternation when Porzingis called the loss to Cleveland a “good loss.” I think people missed the bigger picture of Porzingis admitting that the team was starting to get a little full of themselves and that they needed something to bring them back to earth. 

This is why I think Joe Mazzulla’s approach is a good one. It’s always about keeping the right mentality, and I think there's a push and pull that permeates the season that makes keeping that balance a constant, ever-changing challenge. 

“It’s just as difficult to win as it is to lose,” Mazzulla said after the Suns game. 

Wins come with a lot of trappings, and winning a lot without a bit of humbling can make for its own set of challenges. I think this challenging stretch is good for the team too. I hope the rest of the season is a challenge, just so these guys understand nothing is a given. 

- I think this headline on CelticsBlog sums things up nicely: The Celtics don’t have expectations — they face demands.

- Congrats to Dean Wade for joining the Ish Smith All-Stars

- Wade’s two games since murdering the Boston Celtics: 9 total points on 3-10 shooting (1-8 3pt) and -24 in 66 minutes. 

- I’m not really happy to see the “Kornet Kontest” back. He hadn’t done it for a while, but he broke it out again recently. It doesn’t work. He could just stand completely still and the shooters will miss sometimes (unless he’s Dean Wade). 

- Everything around Bronny James is unfair.

- Zion Williamson says he’ll do the dunk contest if he gets voted in as an All-Star next season. I think the formula for him to make it is simple: be available to play. He makes it sound like he’s being screwed out of a spot. Put down the shrimp etouffee and play ball next season.

- Ben Simmons is done for the season. According to Spotrac, He has been paid $163 million to participate in a tick over half his team’s games over the past eight seasons, and he’ll get another $40 million next season. 

Siri, show me the basketball version of a Ponzi scheme.

- Good luck Karl-Anthony Towns as recovers from a torn meniscus. He wants to be back in a month. Tough hit for the TWolves.

- Hopefully for Minnesota, Anthony Edwards doesn’t miss any more opening tips.