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NBA Legends Who Have Praised Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis dribbles the ball before a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis dribbles the ball before a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 8, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) grabs the loose ball with Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the 4th qtr at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: The Knicks won 99-95. Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) grabs the loose ball with Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the 4th qtr at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: The Knicks won 99-95. Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Kobe Bryant

A very compelling case could be made that Kobe Bryant is the most iconic player of the 21st century. The Los Angeles Lakers star has embodied what it means to be great, winning championships, individual accolades, and respect over the course of a 20-year career.

The one thing that Bryant isn’t known for is handing out praise to his peers.

This isn’t to say that Bryant will bite his tongue or ignore the stellar play of those around the NBA. Instead, it’s to acknowledge his old school approach of, “Earn my respect,” and the many phases of that process.

Per Mark Medina of The Los Angeles Daily News, Bryant had the following to say about Kristaps Porzingis in early November.

"“He looks pretty damn good,” “He’s skillful, can do a lot of things and seems very competitive. He has a good competitive spirit about him.”"

After Bryant completed his first full game against the 7’3″ anomaly, he went directly to Phil Jackson with praise for the rookie big man.

Clearly, Bryant and Jackson had more reason to speak than Porzingis, but the fact that he was brought up is telling.

It was quite early in Porzingis’ rookie season, but the praise offered a resounding seal of approval from one of the NBA’s most respected legends. Not only did Bryant acknowledge Porzingis’ upside, but he heralded the readiness of the 20-year-old rookie.

That’s high praise from one Jackson prodigy to the next.

Next: The Best at His Position

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