Daily Knicks
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
Dec 21, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden. The Magic defeated the Knicks 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden. The Magic defeated the Knicks 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Phil Jackson

When Phil Jackson made the decision to select Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, the response was negative. Many questioned whether or not Jackson knew what he was doing, and some even pondered if he deserved his job as team president.

So much for all of that.

As Porzingis has lived up to the hype, Jackson’s reputation as an executive has reaped the benefits. His offseason decisions have become collectively more appealing on the strength of the rookie’s early development, and rightfully so.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Jackson believes that Porzingis has something, “Magical,” about him.

"“There’s a magical element to this young man that’s caught the admiration of the fan base and around the country who follow the Knicks,’’ Jackson said. “He’s got the right temperament, right attitude, carries himself well. He’s not getting the calls, [but] he doesn’t protest or get upset."

It’s to be expected that the man who drafted Porzingis would have high praise for him, but Jackson’s words are intriguing, nonetheless.

Jackson has coached some of the greatest players in NBA history, including Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. There have also been a number of star big men who played under Jackson’s lead, such Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dennis Rodman.

Jackson may not be the coach of the Knicks, but he’s still in a position to recognize and develop talent—a very promising sign for Porzingis’ future.

Next: The Four-Time MVP

Home/Knicks News