New York Knicks Rookie Kristaps Porzingis Finds Second Wind

New York Knicks rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis has found his second wind with the 2015-16 NBA regular season nearing its conclusion.

For the better part of the 2015-16 NBA regular season, Kristaps Porzingis has been an absolute delight. Even on his off nights, he’s still managed to offer brief glimpses into his creativity, ambition, and unquestionably unique combination of skill and physical profile.

After hitting what team president Phil Jackson and many others referred to as, “The rookie wall,” the future face of the New York Knicks has found his second wind.

The rookie wall isn’t exclusive to Porzingis, nor is it a sign that a player can no longer improve. Instead, it’s a sign that the opposition has begun to develop an understanding of what it is that makes Porzingis special in his present state.

During a March 23 encounter with the Chicago Bulls, Porzingis torched the Bulls for a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds on 11-of-16 shooting.

This was an explosive and refreshing performance by one of the game’s most tantalizing young talents.

On the season, Porzingis is averaging 14.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 offensive boards, 1.3 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 28.1 minutes of action per game. He’s made 76 3-point field goals in his 69 appearances, which is far and away an NBA record for the most by a player standing 7’3″ or taller.

The word, “Unique,” isn’t hyperbolic in Porzingis’ case; he’s truly a one-of-a-kind player.

Over his previous 10 games, Porzingis had been shooting just 38.2 percent from the field. He had solid performances, but he’d been moving slowly, settling for jump shots, and failing to exploit opposing defenses around the rim.

Per Marc Berman of The New York Post, interim head coach Kurt Rambis acknowledged how Porzingis’ legs haven’t exactly been under him during this recent stretch.

"“He seems to have his legs back,” Rambis said. “He went through a period where it seemed like his legs were dead. Now it looks like he has a second wind.”"

Porzingis agreed.

"“On the first dunk, I didn’t have my legs, I almost missed it,’’ Porzingis said jokingly. “I was OK physically and able to knock down shots. You have good games and bad games. I happened to play well and my teammates were trusting me. Everything was just going our way.’’"

This is to be expected of a player making the transition that Porzingis currently is.

Porzingis, who played professionally in Spain’s Liga ACB, grew accustomed to 50-game regular season schedules. In the NBA, where the season is 82 games long, Porzingis is being tasked with adjusting to a change in both the pace and number of outings he must participate in.

Fatigue is to be expected of a player under such circumstances.

Fortunately for the Knicks, Porzingis returned to the level expected of him against the Bulls. He converted three shots from beyond the arc, dominated the glass, and was able to both space the floor and throw down ferocious finishes at the rim.

This all added up to Porzingis leading New York to a very rare victory in Chicago.

If this is a sign of things to come, the Knicks have placed the future of the organization in great hands.

Porzingis’ arrival, as well as that of Robin Lopez, has helped New York cultivate one of the most dominant defensive interiors in the NBA. That may sound like hyperbole due to the Knicks’ 29-43 record, but Lopez and Porzingis are already elite rim protectors in tandem.

According to NBA.com, the Knicks are No. 1 in the NBA in defensive field goal percentage at the rim.

With Lopez and Porzingis anchoring the defensive interior, and Carmelo Anthony and Porzingis leading the charge offensively, New York’s future is bright. The present-day results aren’t desirable, but this trio should only get better with time.

With the necessary improvements in the backcourt, that trio may even be able to lead the Knicks back to the playoffs in 2016-17.

More knicks: Carmelo Anthony has unfinished business with the New York Knicks

Porzingis hit the rookie wall, but as the game against the Bulls effectively proved, he still has mountains of potential. He’s ready to maximize it all.