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New York Knicks: 5 Areas Kristaps Porzingis Is Already Thriving

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the paint during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won111-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the paint during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won111-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots over Washington Wizards defense during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won111-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots over Washington Wizards defense during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Washington Wizards won111-108. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Midrange Marksmanship

One of the lost arts in professional basketball is the mastery of the midrange jump shot. It’s not the most efficient tool to utilize when the 3-point line is just a few steps back, but in the playoffs, teams that can convert from midrange tend to fare well.

That’s promising news for the New York Knicks, as Porzingis is already one of the most lethal midrange shooters in the NBA.

Porzingis made 122 midrange jump shots in 2015-16, and he did so in a remarkably efficient way. He shot 43.9 percent from midrange, which was almost identical to the mark posted by four-time All-NBA honoree LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge made and attempted significantly more midrange jump shots than Porzingis, but that isn’t a bad thing.

Aldridge has long lived from midrange—and he’s also long lived in the playoffs. He was the second-leading scorer on a 67-win team in 2015-16, and led the Portland Trail Blazers to five different postseason appearances.

For what it’s worth, Aldridge made just 82 midrange jump shots on 35.0 percent shooting as a rookie. Yet again, Porzingis is ahead of the curve.

Next: No. 2

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