Who Are The Rim Protecting, 3-Point Shooting Unicorns of The NBA?

Who Are The Unicorns Of The NBA?

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

7 of 7

Mar 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) blocks a dunk attempt by New Orleans Pelicans forward Alonzo Gee (15) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Kristaps Porzingis

One of the reasons why there is a cult of Porzingis fans is that he’s got such tremendous potential as a basketball unicorn.

In fact, he’s the namesake of this column, as Kevin Durant called Porzingis a basketball unicorn in January for his combination of size and skill:

"“He can shoot, he can defend, he’s a 7-footer that can shoot all the way out to the three-point line. That’s rare. And block shots — that’s like a unicorn in this league.”"

Porzingis is a natural shot blocker due to his 7-foot-3 frame with a 7-foot-6 wingspan that makes him look like a created player from NBA 2K.

Porzingis tied for 11th in the league in points saved per game per Nylon Calculus’ Rim Protection stats. Porzingis averaged 1.9 blocks per game as a rookie.

Next: Ranking The Top 10 NBA Centers In 2016-17

He shot 33.3 percent on 243 three-point attempts and has a smooth shooting stroke that should bode well for an improvement on that number.