Kristaps Porzingis Wins December Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month

Kristaps Porzingis has been named the December Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.

For the second consecutive month New York Knicks‘ rookie sensation, Kristaps Porzingis has been awarded the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors.

.@kporzee wins December @kia Eastern Conf. Rookie of the Month! #KiaROTM #NBAVote

READ https://t.co/GU8KdLonqK pic.twitter.com/2DvlITydlp
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 4, 2016

The 7’3″ Latvian already had the privilege of winning this award for his first month of play in the NBA. Now he is two-for-two.

Porzingis averaged 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. Which was actually a step down from his first month’s averages, but was good enough to win the award nonetheless. Porzingis shot only 40.04% from the field in the month of December, but did knock down one three-pointer per game.

The most impressive moment for Porzingis in the month of December, was by far when he went mano-a-mano with his childhood idol Dirk Nowitzki.

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With the Knicks facing as large as a 20 point deficit in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks, Porzingis went berserk in the final period and almost led a frantic New York comeback. Porzingis scored a dozen points of his game high 28 points in the fourth quarter, including the final-eight Knicks’ points. Porzingis knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, and just missed his third consecutive triple that would have cut the deficit down to a one point game.

Although, it turned out that it would not have mattered anyways because Carmelo Anthony committed an offensive foul while setting a screen for the shot. Nonetheless it was an incredible moment.

The NBA Finals MVP and thirteen time All-Star from Germany praised the Knicks’ Latvian import, saying “he’s for real” and that he has tons of potential.

"“Every tall European now who comes over and can shoot is going to be compared to me, but he looks like he’s for real,”“I mean, he’s just 20 years old. He’s got a lot of ways to go, but the upside this kid has is just tremendous.”"

Porzingis appreciated the compliments but deflected them by saying that he still has a lot to learn from Nowitzki. Which only further ingratiated the rookie to Knick fans for his great attitude and work ethic that he continues to display day in and day out.