Kristaps Porzingis: Becoming the modern-day Dirk Nowitzki
By Eric Snyder
Loyalty wins
The previously mentioned n19-year career of Dirk Nowitzki is incredible on a few different levels. His work ethic is no doubt legendary. However, his loyalty to his team is even more astounding and rare in the modern NBA.
Juxtapose the loyal career of Dirk with the tumultuous last year for Kristaps Porzingis. First, he endured a confusing year of losing amidst normal Knicks drama. Then he skipped out on an exit meeting with Phil Jackson, only to be rumored in draft-night trades. Finally, Phil was fired and Porzingis now sees New York as his long-term home.
No one could blame Porzingis for having reservations about committing his future to the New York Knicks. Similarly, no one would have blamed Dirk Nowitzki for having his own reservations about the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavs were a horrible team in 1998 and hadn’t had a winning season since 1990. Yet, Dirk stuck with the team and eventually won an NBA championship.
The difference between Kritaps Porzingis and Dirk Nowitzki summed up in one video: pic.twitter.com/sp2yhyjH3F
— New Era Knicks (@NewEraKnicks) August 4, 2017
Nothing compares to the continuous drama inside the losing culture of the New York Knicks. However, Porzingis may see his chance to replicate the work of Nowitzki inside Madison Square Garden.
Loyalty is hard to come by in both the NBA and life in general. If Porzingis develops a Nowitzki-style loyalty to his New York Knicks, there is no limit to what he can become. What is one final lesson KP can learn from Dirk?