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Happy Birthday, Kristaps Porzingis: Top 5 Gifts To The Knicks Thus Far

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Making NBA History

Saturday, March 26, 2016 was the day that Kristaps Porzingis made NBA history. It wasn’t some obscure achievement that one is obliged to semi-appreciate, but an undoubtedly real achievement.

In the ultimate testament to his versatility, Porzingis became the first rookie in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals in a single season.

Blocks were introduced as an official statistic in 1973-74, and the 3-point field goal was introduced in 1979-80. Thus, while the sample size may not stretch until the outer limits of NBA history, Porzingis has nearly 40 years of weight behind his achievement.

No matter who follows in his footsteps, Porzingis should be forever remembered as the player who did it first.

The fact that Porzingis achieved this feat at 7’3″ is genuinely baffling. In fact, the only other player in NBA history to hit those statistical marks at 7’0″ or taller—rookie or not—is Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.

If you didn’t believe the Nowitzki comparisons before, then you should pay them more mind now.

Happy Birthday, Kristaps Porzingis, and thank you for the memories. We as a basketball community look forward to many more.

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