Kristaps Porzingis
Kristaps Porzingis needs to stop committing unnecessary fouls if the New York Knicks are going to win games in 2016-17. He’s playing with a passion, but that passion needs to be put forward with more control and patience.
True as that all may be, it’d be silly to ignore the fact that Porzingis was outstanding on the offensive end of the floor against the Toronto Raptors.
Though he started slowly, Porzingis went off in the second half and finished with 21 points, four rebounds, one offensive rebound, and two assists. He shot an efficient 9-of-16 from the field and went 2-of-8 from beyond the arc and 1-of-1 at the free throw line.
Porzingis’ scoring in the third and fourth quarters was instrumental to the Knicks maintaining the pace with the Raptors.
The game didn’t end as one would’ve hoped, but Porzingis stepped up during the big moments of the second half. It was encouraging progress from a player who’s an avoidance of foul trouble away from averaging upwards of 20 points per game.
Here’s hoping Porzingis can soon avoid foul trouble and provide a more consistent impact as a rebounder.