A second of appreciation for Luke Kornet, the last word teammate

Maybe it was naive of me, however I genuinely thought the Celtics would get inventive and discover a option to maintain Luke Kornet.

Jrue Vacation? Too dangerous, but it surely needed to be finished. Kristaps Porzingis? Additionally a bummer, but it surely felt inevitable. However not Luke. No means.

When Kornet first got here to Boston, Celtics followers usually considered him as a serviceable backup huge who may eat up minutes and performed the sport the suitable means. All these issues are nonetheless true, however because it turned out, he had much more to supply than anybody round these components realized (apart from perhaps Brad Stevens).

Kornet upped his minutes, scoring and rebounding yearly in Boston. With extra alternative got here extra manufacturing, and this 12 months, one thing began to actually click on as he took it to the following degree.

He labored extraordinarily effectively with Jayson Tatum within the choose and roll, had higher fingers and contact across the rim than he will get credit score for and have become a menace defensively. A part of it was merely that he obtained his shot, however I additionally genuinely imagine he obtained higher.

We don’t all the time discuss role-player prime as a lot as we must always, however the actuality is that Kornet maximized his prime with the Celtics the previous few years.

He’s as lovable and unassuming as a scrub who by no means performs, but as expert and polished as a high-level starter. No matter you want him to do, he’ll do it extraordinarily effectively. It’s uncommon to seek out somebody who can excel in actually any position.

Whether or not he doesn’t play in any respect or logs half-hour, he’s nonetheless going to positively form the tradition of a staff. You all the time knew you possibly can belief him on the market.

Kornet lightens the temper with sarcasm, goofiness and enthusiasm, however he’s additionally extraordinarily aggressive, has an ideal motor and brings out the perfect in these round him. Each staff wants a man like that, however few have one with such a singular present.

My favourite Kornet clip is that this one, the place he campaigns to win the Tommy Award.

My favourite Kornet recreation is that this one, the place he blocked seven photographs and truthfully seemed like Wilt Chamberlain.

Whereas it’s definitely a tricky loss for the Celtics, you’ll be able to’t assist however be comfortable for Kornet, who deserves this contract. Plus, he goes to an ideal franchise, will get to staff up with and mentor Victor Wembanyama and has likelihood to assist a promising younger staff take the following step.

If there have been a Celtics position participant corridor of fame, I’d put Kornet in it. Not only for the way in which he performed, but additionally for the way in which he carried himself and lifted up these round him.

They don’t make many like him. He’ll be missed.