NBA: Rookies Who Appear Destined for Stardom
Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Position: Power Forward
Age: 20
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 4
Slash Line: .419/.332/.848
Season Averages: 27.8 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.2 APG, 1.9 BPG, 1.1 3PM
When Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks chose Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, the general consensus was that the team had made a mistake. The local fans booed, analysts accused Jackson of being out of his element, and rival fan bases ridiculed the Knicks.
Porzingis immediately proved the skeptics wrong with a torrid start to the season, but has since hit what Jackson has described as the rookie wall.
Phil Jackson called Kristaps Porzingis a "phenom" but acknowledged that the rookie has hit a wall at this point. pic.twitter.com/7y2V38I8Dd
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 11, 2016
As many were quick to point out, that wall was, at least in some part, created by the manner in which New York has utilized him.
The "wall" Porzingis hit just happens to coincide w/ his minutes being jerked around and exclusively playing out of position in no space O.
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) March 11, 2016
The question is, can Porzingis continue to develop in New York?
Porzingis has already made more 3-point field goals than any player 7’3″ or taller in NBA history. He’s No. 7 amongst all players in blocks per game, and has teamed with center Robin Lopez to help the Knicks post the best defensive field goal percentage at the rim of any team in the NBA.
Much of what makes Porzingis special is how he’s physically capable of doing just about everything on the court. Beyond his 7’3″ height and 7’7″ wingspan, relentless work ethic and the skills, including a post game that features something of a Dream Shake, that could make him great.
Porzingis has work to do, muscle to put on, and skills to develop, but he’s already one of the more exciting young players in the NBA.
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