Knicks vs. Bucks: Postgame Grades and Analysis

Oct 28, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) knocks the ball away from New York Knicks forward

(6) during the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forward: Kristaps Porzingis

Overall Grade: B

Minutes Played: 24

+/-: +1

Stat Line: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 3/11 FG, 1/2 3PT, 9/12 FT

All eyes may have been on Carmelo Anthony’s knee, but every viewer in the world was monitoring Kristaps Porzingis. He didn’t need to have a monster game, but fans and skeptics alike will be monitoring his development in 2015-16.

In Game 1, Porzingis simultaneously struggled, thrived and flashed his potential.

Porzingis made a living at the free throw line, and that was no accident. More times than not, he was fouled due to the way he’d physically overwhelm opponents in scoring position.

That includes a play during which he gained position in the post and was immediately fouled as a bail-out technique.

His field goal percentage wasn’t ideal, but Porzingis played a very strong game. His size was too much for Milwaukee to handle, thus netting him 12 trips to that charity stripe and helping New York improve its interior defense as the game progressed.

It wasn’t perfect, but Porzingis’ mere presence helped New York win.

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