In the 2015 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks drafted Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis. The 7’3″ Latvian came to New York with a chip on his shoulder, as any New York rookie does, but being that he was an oversees player many doubted his ability to prosper in the NBA; however, Porzingis blocked out the cynical ones by just playing his brand of basketball, and he thrived under the pressure. The Latvian prodigy averaged just over 14 points, just over 7 rebounds, and just below 2 blocks a game in his rookie year; he has followed up his impressive rookie campaign by filling up the stat sheet even more in his sophomore year; however, despite his increase in production, Kristaps Porzingis isn’t great yet.
Porzingis Has Been Productive and Efficient This Year
This year, Porzingis has upped his stat line in terms of points and rebounds; he’s averaging just above 20 points a game, and he’s racking in just below 8 rebounds a game. He’s also been more efficient; he is shooting 45.4% from the field and 40.7% from three point range. Last year, he shot 42.1% from the field, and just 33.3% from three. The 2016-17 season has seen a more efficient Porzingis, but what it hasn’t seen is a different, more well rounded player.
Porzingis Hasn’t Evolved
Despite his offensive efficiency, Porzingis hasn’t evolved. Is he more efficient and more productive in terms of statistics this year? Yes, but he’s the same player that he was last year. He’s still not adapt to playing in the post, and for his size, he should be racking in more than 8 rebounds a game. While playing out on the perimeter is his game, Porzingis hasn’t been taking complete advantage of his height.
Porzingis Could Be The Game’s Best Big Man
At his 7’3″ frame, Porzingis is capable of shooting and making shots over anyone and anything, but he doesn’t quite have the ability to create his own shot yet; that is where Porzingis is in a way cheating himself. While he’s a good perimeter player, Porzingis could also be a formidable threat in the post. He’s not the biggest guy, but if Porzingis just played in the post once in a while, or he played in the paint more often, he could be the best big man in the NBA. That may sound way too bold, but when you put it together it’s not.
There’s been no player at his height who possessed the handles that he has, and it’s rare to see a 7’3″ guy out on the perimeter and thrive like he does; his athleticism is remarkable as well. He is one of the more athletic players in the league, as he’s a high flyer, and he’s a shot blocking presence in the paint. If you put his current attributes with a good post game, you’d have an unstoppable and formidable force to be reckoned with; however, if he wants to become a formidable threat, he first needs to find ways to create his own shot.
In the Meantime Carmelo Anthony is the Knicks Star
While an incredible talent, Porzingis struggles to get his own shot, especially when Carmelo Anthony is off the floor. In order for Porzingis to get good open looks, or be able to create his own shot, he needs Anthony on the floor.
Anthony is still one of the premier scorers in the NBA, and he attracts a ton of attention from opposing teams, which allows Porzingis to get good open looks. Without Anthony, Porzingis is a different player.
For example, just a couple weeks ago, the Knicks played the Golden State Warriors, and they were without Anthony and point guard Derrick Rose. The thinking was that their absences would allow for Porzingis to get some minutes as the team’s go to scorer; it didn’t go as planned. He only dropped 8 points, and he didn’t look like the same player because the Warriors centered their defensive efforts around him. Also, last year the Knicks lost every game that Carmelo Anthony didn’t play in; Anthony is still the go to guy offensively, and the Knicks offense isn’t the same without him.
Porzingis is a very good young player, but if he wants to become a great perennial offensive threat, he needs to find ways to create his own shot.
Kristaps Porzingis Has a Chance to be Great, Just Not This Year
Kristaps Porzingis is the future of the Knicks, but he’s not the best player on his team. While he has the ability to play above the rim, out on the perimeter, and serve as a shot blocking threat, he isn’t yet capable of creating his own shot. If he wants to be a great player, and a number one scoring option, he must evolve into an independent scoring threat.
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