New York Knicks: Can Kristaps Porzingis Be An All-Star In 2016-17?

Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; World player Kristaps Porzingis (6) shakes hands with World head coach Ettore Messina (L) prior to the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game against the U.S. at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; World player Kristaps Porzingis (6) shakes hands with World head coach Ettore Messina (L) prior to the Rising Stars Challenge basketball game against the U.S. at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks fans take a photo of Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during first half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks fans take a photo of Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during first half against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Fan Support

Before touching upon the other factors, it’s vital to note that Kristaps Porzingis is one of the most popular players in the NBA. It’s also critical to acknowledge the fact that Porzingis plays in the most heavily populated city in the United States of America—and it’s really not close.

If that’s yet to convince you that fans could vote him into the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, then try the fact that Porzingis was No. 4 in the NBA in jersey sales in 2015-16.

For perspective, Jeremy Lin was nearly voted into the All-Star Game in 2012-13 after becoming an overnight sensation in 2011-12. Porzingis projects to have a significantly more productive follow-up to his breakout campaign.

If that proves to be true, then Porzingis’ combination of production and popularity could result in the New York faithful voting him into the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

Being voted in can be rewarding, but the purpose of the article is to focus more on if he can earn a selection. Thus, while fan support clearly matters, the question at hand is whether or not Porzingis can consistently perform at the level of an All-Star.

The fan vote is often a popularity contest, but with or without the fan vote, it stands to reason that Porzingis can make it.