New York Knicks: 5 goals for Kristaps Porzingis in 2017-18
By Randy Porga
1. Adapt to playing center
The New York Knicks currently have no shortage of big men on their roster. As of now, they have Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah and Kyle O’ Quinn, who can all play at the 5 at any given point this season. While some teams have adapted small-ball rotations with big men being capable of hitting beyond the arc, the Knicks on paper have an exceptional looking defensive set.
While it is possible there will be a trade of some magnitude given the depth there (as well as at shooting guard), there are benefits of Porzingis being able to play at the 5-spot.
It allows the potential for an even more dynamic bench defensively, while also sparing Porzingis with having to keep up with some of the faster and more athletic forwards in the league that are not over seven feet tall.
In either position, Porzingis will likely over-match whoever his opponent is most nights, but it is also another form of keeping the other team guessing and forcing their players to play to the Knicks style on the court.
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From committing fewer fouls to expanding his range and being patient with the current rebuild, Kristaps has the daunting task of attempting to lead one of the NBA’s biggest failed franchises back to prominence.