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Why Kristaps Porzingis Makes The New York Knicks Playoff Contenders

By Nathan Grubel

Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) controls the basket ball away from New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) controls the basket ball away from New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Porzingis mania has taken over not just the city of New York, but the entire United States of America. And there’s no reason for it to stop there.

It’s no secret that international prospects have struggled to come into the NBA and play at a high level. Not everyone has the destiny of a Dirk Nowitzki or Tony Parker to blend right away with the American culture and be able to compete at a high level both physically and mentally over the grind of an 82-game season.

There’s no basketball league that’s more demanding than the NBA. To see such a young player from anywhere and any level do what Kristaps Porzingis is doing for the New York Knicks, a pressure-packed franchise in its own right, it’s just not something you come across every day.

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Porzingis hasn’t just been good for the Knicks. Good would be what D’angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay are doing for their respective teams. They’ve both shown flashes in their first month in the league and have kept themselves afloat playing against other top point guards in the league, but they haven’t been stars yet and have had their shortcomings and mistakes.

Playing against big men down low on a night-to-night basis is a little different from spending most of your minutes on the perimeter. Porzingis is facing bullying so far like other top rookie big men Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor.

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He’s a skinny forward who wasn’t projected to come in and make much of an impact until he added the necessary weight to contest against players with more size and bulk than he had.

Boy, has Porzingis proved the haters wrong so far.

It’s all in the attitude that he carries out with him each night. He doesn’t care who or what he’s going up against. He’s going to give it his all, and he’s going to find ways to succeed and give his team help in any way he can, as he’s recently told the media.

“I’m not scared — I’m not scared of anybody,” Porzingis told reporters before the Knicks’ recent game against the Miami Heat. “I’m skinny and I’m light. Strong guys can still push me around. But I will fight back, and be aggressive and never back down from anybody. If I want to succeed at this level, I can’t be scared of anybody. I can’t have fear. I’ve got to be fearless out there on the court.”

Porzingis’ averages of 13.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game have impressed most of the league. Some have gone so far as saying that he should’ve been selected with the second overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

His shooting percentages haven’t been as advertised at 42.3 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from three-point range, but he’s been improving game-to-game.

The one shooting statistic that has been mightily encouraging is that he’s hit 84 percent of his free throws. Not many bigs have a stroke from the charity stripe that pure, let alone anyone who’s 7-foot-3.

Other than his scoring, he’s rebounded well on both ends of the floor and has been a difference maker for New York on defense.

When Porzingis has been on the floor, the Knicks have had one of the 10 best defensive ratings in the league, as opposed to one of the 10 worst when he’s not playing.

He’s made an impact defensively because of his energy and effort. Not often do star players consistently lay out their bodies to go after loose balls, help on defense and get any kind of turnover they possibly can to get their teams out and running. Porzingis makes those efforts every time he’s on defense.

Porzingis has not only established himself as one of the Knicks’ best players now, but current star Carmelo Anthony believes Porzingis will be leading this team long after he’s gone.

“He’s going to lead this organization long after I’m retired,” Anthony said. “Hopefully we can hoist one or two [championship trophies] before that happens.”

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The Knicks have a bit of an uphill battle in an improved Eastern Conference. However, the playoffs are definitely in reach now that the team has two established players who like to play together and make each other’s lives easier.

Porzingis is the kind of offensive threat that can take pressure off Anthony to score the basketball each trip down the floor. With Porzingis cutting to the basket or leaking outside for an easy jump shot, teams have to pay attention to him and potentially double team him because of his pure size.

Any kind of open space for Anthony makes a difference because of how quick and lethal his stroke is from outside.

The Knicks are 8-7, which is good enough for 10th in the conference. However, this team has the depth and star power to compete with anyone in the league. As long as Porzingis continues to knock down shots and do his part on defense, I have no doubt that New York will once again be apart of the playoff picture given the veteran pieces in place.

With all of that being said, just how good Porzingis will be in the future remains a mystery. But if his play and hustle recently show anything about the potential impact he’s going to have down the road, then we will witness PorzinGAWD and the Knicks do their thing in the league for years to come.

Next: 25 Best Players to Play for the New York Knicks

*Statistics courtesy of NBA.com

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