New York Knicks: Second Half Preview

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Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Kristaps Porzingis Hit The Dreaded Rookie Wall?

If the play of Carmelo Anthony has been a nice surprise for Knicks fans, Kristaps Porzingis has been a complete and utter shock.

The fourth overall pick was booed mercilessly by fans when Phil Jackson and Co. took the Latvian star over the summer, with many already proclaiming Kristaps would add his name to the long list of European bigs too soft to make it in the NBA.

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Instead, Porzingis appears to be adding his name to a list previously only occupied by Dirk Nowitzki as a a Euro-big that takes over the league.

At just 20 years old, KP has won three consecutive Rookie of the Month awards in the Eastern Conference, pulling into a clear battle with Karl-Anthony Towns for Rookie of the Year privileges. While he’s shot a relatively low 43 percent from the field, Kristaps’ 13.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game are the types of numbers a Knicks rookie hasn’t had since Patrick Ewing.

Porzingis has managed to win over a vast majority of his doubters, but there’s still a small portion of people expressing doubt about the 7-foot 3-inch monster and his ability to sustain success in the NBA. Kristaps has certainly had a few rough performances his rookie season and each time, and there’s always an outcry that he had finally hit the rookie wall. The problem with that theory? Each time he blasts right through it.

With defenses no longer surprised by KP’s deep range and slashing ability, seeing him adjust to how teams approach him during the second half should be a lot of fun. With just a couple months until the playoffs, Kristaps’ ability to adapt will be huge for the Knicks down the stretch.

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