Knicks: One Key Area In Which Every Starter Must Improve

Kristaps Porzingis: Timing

Position: Power Forward
Age: 20 (8/2/1995)
2015-16 Slash Line: .421/.333/.838
2015-16 Season Averages: 28.4 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 ORPG, 1.3 APG, 1.9 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.1 3PM

Kristaps Porzingis is one of the most sensational young players in the NBA. In 2015-16, he was a unanimous selection to the 2016 All-Rookie Second Team and was No. 2 in the Rookie of the Year voting.

Though the obvious focus is for Porzingis to polish his skills, the next step in his development is more about his approach to the game.

Porzingis is a 7’3″ goliath who can play both interior positions, create off the bounce, work from the post, and shoot the 3-ball. He’s a Top 10 shot-blocker, a Top 20 rim protector, and an intimidating deterrent who boasts a 7’6″ wingspan.

True as that all may be, New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson pinpointed exactly what caused Porzingis to shoot inefficiently in 2015-16. Per Charley Rosen of Today’s Fastbreak:

"“Why is such a good shooter missing so many shots? Because his shot selection is not always good. Because many of them are taken under the pressure of the shot clock running down. Because he’s often knocked off-balance when he spins and shoots. And because he’s shooting while he’s turning instead of turning, planting and then shooting.”"

Jackson went on to say that he expects Porzingis to become more comfortable with timing as his career progresses.

The best thing Porzingis can do for himself on the court is take his time. He often gets the ball and feels rushed to get a shot up when he needs to set his feet, stabilize his body, and go up with steady form.

At 7’3″ with a 7’6″ wingspan, Porzingis needs to capitalize on his size and length advantage by taking his time and putting up shots with a release point that no one can touch.

Simply put: at 7’3″ with a 7’6″ wingspan, there aren’t very many instances where Porzingis will need to fade away.

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