NBA Legends Who Have Praised Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis

Patrick Ewing

A large number of fans would argue that Patrick Ewing is the greatest player in New York Knicks history. Whether or not you believe that to be true, there aren’t many lists that place Ewing on the outside-looking-in of the Top 3.

Thus, it took Knicks fans by pleasant surprise when Ewing offered praise for Kristaps Porzingis before it was the cool thing to do, per Marc Berman of The New York Post.

"“All I know is he’s big, can shoot, athletic,’’ Ewing said when asked if Porzingis needs to put on pounds. “That’s yet to be determined. He’s slight, but there were a lot of people who were skinny who still got it done. [Kevin] Garnett was skinny and he had a great career.’’"

The Kevin Garnett comparison is indirect, but it’s still a strong point to make.

In all fairness, Ewing’s comments were more of a kind projection than praise. Fortunately for Porzingis, Ewing has already received multiple looks at the next face of the franchise.

True to form, Porzingis thrived every time.

Ewing, who’s now an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets, helped guide his team to a 95-93 win over the Knicks on November 11. Porzingis finished that game with 10 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks, and even sank a 3-point field that would’ve won the game had it not been released a split-second after the buzzer.

Per Berman, Ewing called Porzingis a, “Force to be reckoned with,” after that standout performance.

"“The game has changed now,’’ Ewing said before the Knicks’ 95-93 loss to the Hornets in which Porzingis was a tick late from being a buzzer-beating hero. “Most of the big people — he’s a perimeter big. When I played, the bigs [at] 7-3, you’d be in the blocks. But he has a versatile game. His game is suited to how the NBA is right now. He’s doing a very good job. He’s not just shooting jump shots, he’s getting in there. He’s not just a finesse big man.’’ “I’ve seen the dunks on ESPN,’’ Ewing said. “From what I’ve seen, he’s doing extremely well. A lot of great putback dunks. He’s a lot different than me. He’s more of a perimeter big. I could post it and shoot it. But he looks like a fine addition. He’s a force to be reckoned with.’’"

Mere days later, Porzingis had a second chance to prove himself in front of the Knicks’ all-time leading scorer.

In a home clash with Ewing’s Hornets on November 17, Porzingis was nothing short of phenomenal. With Ewing on the sidelines, Walt Frazier calling the game, and Willis Reed sitting court-side, the 20-year-old rookie set Madison Square Garden ablaze by dropping 29 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

That earned him this distinction:

In front of the three greatest players in franchise history, Porzingis put forth one of the most significant performances in franchise history.

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