New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek heaped praise onto Kristaps Porzingis. Find out what has him so impressed.
The New York Knicks are in win-now mode, but the long-term vision remains the same. Team president Phil Jackson selected Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, thus signaling the dawn of a new era.
Regardless of what transpires in the immediate future, the 20-year-old phenom from Latvia remains the centerpiece for the future of Knicks basketball.
Porzingis exceeded all expectations during his first season in New York. He was unanimously selected to the 2016 All-Rookie First Team, and captured the hearts of the very Knicks fans who booed him on draft night.
Per Marc Berman of The New York Post, head coach Jeff Hornacek had nothing but praise for Porzingis after watching him work out for the first time.
"“We worked out with him [Sunday],” Hornacek said. “From a distance playing against him [last season as Phoenix coach] one time, I knew he was a decent shooter, but he’s a really good shooter. Looking at him in the gym, his stroke and how he does it and the abilities the guys are working with him on — driving to the basket, post-up game — he’s going to be a great player.”"
Knicks fans wholeheartedly agree.
Previously labeled a project player, few expected Porzingis to produce as quickly as he did. He embarked upon his path to all-time greatness by going toe-to-toe with legendary players such as Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James, and threw down dunks over All-Stars at his position.
The likes of LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love made early appearances on Porzingis’ now iconic rookie highlight reel.
Beyond the beautiful flash was the brilliant substance. Over the course of 72 invigorating appearances, Porzingis became the first rookie in NBA history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals.
From a pure skill perspective, Porzingis is one of the most tantalizing young players in NBA history.
Porzingis’ averages of 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks were all the best by a Knicks rookie in exactly 30 years. The last Knicks rookie to meet or exceed those marks: Patrick Ewing in 1985-86.
Coach Hornacek heralded Porzingis for his deep understanding and appreciation of the history of the game.
"“He’s a great kid,” Hornacek said. “Very knowledgeable. Brings up names of old-school guys, he knows who they are. He’s followed basketball, had his eyes on basketball for a long, long time. At age 5, he was really going at it. He’s personable, can talk to him easily. I think he’s a great teammate. I talked to a lot of guys — all love him. We have some older guys. Hopefully for younger guys, he can be that leader.’’"
Historians of the game tend to fare quite well on the court.
Porzingis enters the 2016-17 NBA season with the pressure of helping a veteran roster reach the playoffs. Carmelo Anthony is a nine-time All-Star, Derrick Rose won the 2011 MVP award, Joakim Noah won Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, and Courtney Lee is the epitome of consistency.
Though it’s impossible to predict how well those four players will perform in 2016-17, the expectation is that Porzingis will improve individually.
If Porzingis comes back in 2016-17 with the same hunger that made him successful as a rookie, he can help the Knicks make the playoffs. If he comes back with a more polished set of skills, then New York could be looking at a high seed in the Eastern Conference.
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That’s an unusual amount of pressure to place upon a second-year player, but if Porzingis has proven anything, it’s that he lives for moments like this.