Kristaps Porzingis’ Development At Center Is Key To New York’s Success

By Quentin Haynes | Oct 18, 2016

Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks will have Joakim Noah to start at center, but New York’s future is based on how well Porzingis can handle the position in his second professional season.

I’m slowly coming around to the New York Knicks’ projected starting lineup.

With Derrick Rose out dealing with his current civil trial, New York is expected to start Brandon Jennings, Courtney Lee, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah. On paper, it makes sense. The goal is to remove the ball – and some of the offensive responsibilities – from Anthony’s hands and Jennings can do just that as a scorer and creator.

Defensively, it’s Noah, Lee, and Porzingis. Those three will be key in the starting lineup as versatile defenders, capable of defending and stifling opponents in the paint, with Lee doing most of his work on the perimeter. There’s a fear that Anthony and Jennings will hurt the defense, but those three will have to be able to plug those holes.

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When Derrick Rose makes his eventual return, the Knicks are hoping Rose can quickly return to form and add his ability to drive to the basket into their offense. That slashing ability will open up the floor on offense, eventually opening up some jumpers for his teammates. Although, Jennings has looked fine in the preseason. While he can’t finish at the rim as well as Rose, Jennings has shown his ability to get into the paint and settle for a jumper.

There’s a good team in there somewhere. However, the success of the New York Knicks relies on how well the Knicks can play with Kristaps Porzingis at the center position.

The extension of Porzingis at the five is Anthony at the four, which you can argue is both of their prime positions. Anthony has shown in the past that on both sides of the ball, he’s a power forward. As for Porzingis, it was soon after his first month in the NBA when many began to discuss how he would make an excellent center in this era ruled by guards and smaller forwards.

Upside and Motor’s Cole Zwicker illustrated Porzingis’ long-term prognosis at center, but I’ll paraphrase: Porzingis is a rare unicorn. At seven-foot-three, Porzingis has the perfect size to man the middle. Defensively, his ability to step out on the perimeter and bother drivers is matched by his ability to defend and alter shot attempts at the rim. Offensively, few can match Porzingis’ ability to space the floor and of course, put back dunks.

Last season, Porzingis had some success at center, finishing with a +14 net rating at the position, compared to the +2 he mustered at power forward. However, his body wasn’t ready for the help bulk of center minutes, resulting in just 30 percent of his minutes at the position as a rookie. He doesn’t even have to man the position as much with Noah being paid $72 million to hold it down. However, that 30 percent should jump a tad closer to the 40 percent.

Compared to last season, the New York Knicks are more prepared to work around a Porzingis center lineup.

Last season, New York finished with 1.11 points per possessions allowed with Porzingis as the lone big man on the floor, per NBAwowy.com, finishing a smidge above even (1.12 PPP with Porzingis as the lone big). Offensively, it created more space for shooters, as Arron Afflalo, Langston Galloway and Lance Thomas all saw their three-point rate jump.

Defensively, the Knicks have better players to go around Porzingis, mainly around the perimeter. Afflalo has always had an overrated reputation on the defensive end and Calderon is notorious for being a poor defender. Whereas guys like Justin Holiday, Thomas, and Lee are all better, more versatile defenders. The ability to defend several positions on the perimeter and in Thomas’ case, some smaller forwards, should allow Porzingis at the five to thrive in the second year.

And of course, there’s the ‘Melo factor. The goal is to provide an explosive defense, while keeping Anthony and his defensive limitations out there. The best lineup with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis in the frontcourt had a 114.0 offensive rating, but a 110.0 defensive rating in 42 minutes used. It’ll be Anthony’s ability to space the floor and create offensively that will be a catalyst in those lineups.

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The New York Knicks will have to find success with their starting lineup with and without Rose. However, the key to New York’s success, this year and in the foreseeable future, will be how Porzingis continues to develop at center. Last season had Porzingis as a rookie and a lack of true perimeter defenders. This season, the Knicks have better defenders and another offseason for Porzingis to truly grow into the position.

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