Kristaps Porzingis may be available return for the final five games, but should he? The New York Knicks are hesitant to risk re-aggravating KP6’s shoulder injury.
Despite there only being five games remaining in the 2015-16 regular season, the New York Knicks are in a precarious position. Kristaps Porzingis, the rookie phenom and future face of the franchise, is battling a relatively minor shoulder injury that he sustained when he blocked Alonzo Gee‘s dunk attempt at the rim.
The obvious question from hereon out is whether or not New York should allow Porzingis to play again in 2015-16.
An argument can be made that the Knicks should play it safe and prevent Porzignis from risking further injury. On the other end of the spectrum is the case that Porzingis should gain the experience of closing out a full NBA season.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, interim head coach Kurt Rambis doesn’t want Porzingis to return in 2015-16 unless he’s at 100 percent.
"“I would be the last person to recommend that he comes back and puts himself in a situation where he could cause more harm to himself,” Rambis said. “That would be ridiculous of us as an organization and a medical staff. They won’t allow that to happen. He’s going to have to … feel very comfortable that he can go out there and perform.”"
It’s hard to argue with Rambis’ rationale.
Porzingis has played 72 of a possible 77 games in 2015-16, which is better than most expected. He’d played 50-game Liga ACB seasons in Spain, and the fact that he’ll miss a maximum of 10 games during his first NBA campaign is quite an encouraging sign.
Protecting the future of the organization is simply too vital of a need to blindly throw Porzingis back into the rotation for games of minimal importance.
At 20 years old, the best years of Porzingis’ career are ahead of him. Turning a minor shoulder injury into one with long-lasting ramifications through unnecessary risks could change that, and that’s these final five games qualify as unnecessary risks.
At 31-46, New York has already been eliminated from postseason contention.
Logical as it may be to keep Porzingis sidelined for the final five games, the hurdle will be convincing the 20-year-old that he shouldn’t play. His work ethic is second to none, and his desire to be on the court at all costs has been proven throughout 2015-16.
Rambis acknowledged as much, per Begley.
"“He understands that it’s tough — it’s a physical game and we’re encouraging him to get inside, which makes it more physical. But he’s such a fierce competitor that he’s going to take on challenges, it doesn’t matter what the situation is,” Rambis said."
"“He has this incredible desire to be a complete all-around ball player and be one of the great players that have ever played this game,” Rambis said. “He’s really driven, he really is. So it doesn’t surprise me that he was going to try to figure out how to make it through the season and just deal with everything.”"
Yet another ringing endorsement of Porzingis’ otherworldly potential.
The timing of Porzingis’ shoulder injury is relatively disappointing due to the recent youth movement being embraced by the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon, and Robin Lopez have encouraged coach Rambis to increase the younger players’ minutes, and one would think that the 20-year-old Porzingis would qualify as such.
Unless Porzingis is truly back at 100 percent, however, Rambis doesn’t want to risk playing him again.
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That may not appeal to fans who want to see a higher quality product, but it could help preserve the long-term future of the organization.