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New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis Making Critical Improvements

By Maxwell Ogden

Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks phenom Kristaps Porzingis has the ceiling of an NBA superstar. He’s taking a wise approach to the most critical of developments.

Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Knicks are investing the future of the organization in a 21-year-old big man from Latvia. Rewind this story to any time period before October of 2015 and every member of the NBA would’ve looked at Phil Jackson like he was senile.

Just one year into Kristaps Porzingis’ budding career, however, it’s clear that the young phenom has a legitimate chance to live up to his potential.

Porzingis finished his first season in New York with averages of 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.1 3-point field goals made. He scored 1,028 points and recorded 526 rebounds, 134 blocks, and 81 3-point field goals made.

In turn, Porzingis became the first rookie in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals made.

As he enters his second season, Porzingis is being trusted to provide more than awe-inspiring numbers. If he’s not yet ready to step up and lead, then he needs to be a reliable contributor on the Knicks’ road to the postseason.

The good news for the Knicks is that Porzingis has been working tirelessly to improve upon his remaining flaws.

Here are five critical improvements that will define his 2016-17 season.

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