New York Knicks: 5 Upside Comparisons For Kristaps Porzingis

Oct 8, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after scoring a basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after scoring a basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Rasheed Wallace waves to the crowd during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Rasheed Wallace waves to the crowd during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Rasheed Wallace

Years Played: 1995 to 2010, 2012-13
Position: Power Forward
Career Averages: 32.7 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.4 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 3PM
Career Statistics: 16,006 points, 7,404 rebounds, 1,578 offensive rebounds, 1,994 assists, 1,460 blocks, 1,090 steals, 1,086 3-point field goals
Accolades: NBA Champion, 4x All-Star

Though he’s often remembered for his awe-inspiring accumulation of technical fouls, Rasheed Wallace is one of the most well-rounded big men in NBA history. He could shoot the 3-ball, defend multiple positions, run the floor, and score and facilitate from the post.

If Kristaps Porzingis doesn’t become a Hall of Famer like the previous four players on this list, then the New York Knicks would still have to be thrilled to have another Rasheed Wallace.

Wallace was the missing piece for the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons. He was a force of nature for the Portland Trail Blazers—a team he helped make a perennial contender. He could do it all offensively and provided rugged defense.

From 2000 to 2008—before players of his cut were properly appreciated—Wallace posted cumulative averages of 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 offensive boards, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 steal, and 1.2 3-point field goals made per game.

Porzingis has the upside to be a better player than Wallace, but this is a safe comparison. If it comes to fruition, then the Knicks would have a championship-caliber building block and a dynamic star to go into the future with.

The personalities may not compare, but in terms of pure ability, Porzingis and Wallace are already quite similar. That’s as promising a sign as one can ask for.

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If Kristaps Porzingis can reach the level of greatness achieved by any of these five players, he’d go down as one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history.