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NBA: 5 Most Exciting Non-Superstars To Watch

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) attempts a three-point basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) in the third quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) attempts a three-point basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) in the third quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

It seems like forever ago when the New York Knicks landed the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery despite having the second-worst record in the league.

The three coveted players in the draft were Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell, so the Knicks’ possibilities of drafting one of those three depended upon a team passing up on them, which ended up not happening.

As Commissioner Adam Silver announced that the Knicks would select the 7-foot-3 Latvian, Kristaps Porzingis–who was just 19 years old at the time–the Knicks fans would shower him with boos as he walked up to receive his orange-and-blue New York hat.

It’s difficult to please the people of the Big Apple because playing for the city comes with such big expectations, but this kid was more than ready to supply them with hope for the franchise for a long time.

His long stature is enough to make someone tune in to a game and admire the fact of how big these athletes can actually be. But once Porzingis started making routine put-back dunks on top of other big men, heads all around the world started turning in the direction of the New York Knicks.

From there, it was easy for people to notice is all-around game and the potential superstar in the Latvian. His mobility at that size as he glides up and down the floor with grace is something NBA fans haven’t seen in a long time from a big man. If it weren’t for Towns having a stellar rookie season, Porzingis would be the easy pick for the Rookie of the Year Award.

His 14.3 points per game ranks third among rookies while his 7.3 rebounds ranks second. He does however, lead all rookies with 1.8 blocks per game, which is expected with a 7’6″ wingspan and great around-the-basket instincts.

The Knicks will miss the playoffs once again this year, but unlike the other years where they came up short, the fan base now has hope to put into Porzingis to be the face of this franchise for a very long time. Superstars around the league are even in awe of the versatility seen from Porzingis as Kevin Durant once described him as a “unicorn” in an interview with the media.

With continued improvement, Porzingis and Towns have a chance to become Hall-of-Fame players and will likely be the only two from this draft.

And to think that some Knicks fans wanted Justise Winslow instead of the Latvian Mamba …

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