New York Knicks: Gregg Popovich Praises Kristaps Porzingis
San Antonio Spurs head coach and NBA legend Gregg Popovich sees the potential for greatness in New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis.
Since the beginning of the 2015-16 NBA regular season, Kristaps Porzingis has been progressively silencing critics and winning over skeptics. There’s still work to be done for the 20-year-old rookie, but his combination of upside and immediate value has the basketball community clamoring.
You can add another legend to the list of household names who have praised Porzingis.
When speaking to the media, Gregg Popovich is a man of very few words. Thus, it took many by surprise when he spoke rather in-depth about Porzingis and how highly he thinks of the first-year power forward from Latvia.
According to Andrew Keh of The New York Times, Popovich believes that Porzingis is going to be a great player.
Popovich on Porzingis: "His agility, his sense of the game, his skills are quite significant. I think he’s going to be a great player."
— Andrew Keh (@andrewkeh) January 8, 2016
Marc Berman of The New York Post provided the full comments:
"“From what I’ve seen, he’s a special young man,’’ Popovich said before Porzingis scored 28 points, making 11 of 21 shots, with 11 rebounds. “They were very astute in figuring out what he might be down the road. His agility, sense of the game, his skills are quite significant. I think he’s going to be a great player.’’Afterward, Popovich added: “He’s a hell of a young talent. He’s got intelligence, skills and competes.’’"
That was before Porzingis went off in San Antonio.
Porzingis lived up to the hype against Popovich’s Spurs. Matched up with the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan—both of whom were All-NBA in 2014-15—the 20-year-old finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds on 11-of-21 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc with 3-of-4 efficiency at the free throw line.
The dream didn’t come to fruition, but Porzingis nearly led New York to what would’ve been a massive upset.
With its 100-99 escape of the upset-minded Knicks, the Spurs improved to an unfathomable 22-0 at home. It’s the only team in the NBA without a home loss, which makes the effort put forth by Porzingis and the Knicks all the more significant.
More applicably, it places an even stronger measure of validity behind Popovich’s comments.
Porzingis has encountered his fair share of criticism, specifically from those who dislike the proverbial overnight success story. He was an unheralded NBA Draft prospect less than a calendar year ago, and was booed by Knicks fans at the annual selection process.
Today, Porzingis is responding to praise from one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.
"When told of Popovich’s remarks, Porzingis said, “To hear that from a legend, who sees the potential in me, it’s now up to me to do the work and be great.’’"
It sounds cliche, but Porzingis is one of the rare players who can be as good as he wants to be.
Porzingis’ work ethic is what’s helped him become the player he is today. He’s a 7’3″ anomaly who can shoot from anywhere on the floor, crashes the offensive glass at a borderline elite level, and flashes the potential for defensive dominance, but it’s his raw tenacity that separates him from the pack.
Next: The Knicks aren't here to compete; they're here to win
If he maintains his focus and desire for greatness, Porzingis can be the player Popovich believes he can become.