Knicks: Win-Now Mentality Is Good For Kristaps Porzingis

1. Gaining Postseason Experience

No one knows if a player is ready to excel in the NBA Playoffs until they get there. Some of the greatest players in league history have failed to win a championship for that very reason: they simply weren’t built to handle the pressure.

Kristaps Porzingis has the makings of a special player who was built for high-pressure environments, but one won’t know if that’s true until he gets there.

There are players who perform well in the regular season and elevate their level of play in the postseason. There are also stars who shine in the regular season and struggle when the playoffs roll around.

There’s a genuine possibility that Porzingis is the special type of player who shines on both stages.

In order to determine whether or not Porzingis can be the next franchise player, New York needs to see him in action. He clearly has the skill and passion for the game, but can he handle the physicality and high expectations of postseason basketball?

The Knicks have built a strong enough roster to give Porzingis his first taste of the playoffs in 2016-17.

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If all else fails, merely being able to get his feet wet in the NBA Playoffs will do wonders for Porzingis’ long-term development.