New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis, Karl-Anthony Towns Changing NBA

Where It Began

Approaching the 2015 NBA Draft, neither Karl-Anthony Towns nor Kristaps Porzingis were viewed as slam-dunk prospects. Towns received powerful support from around the NBA, but even he fell victim to the critics who bash Kentucky Wildcats big men for playing limited minutes.

Though some hypothesized that Jahlil Okafor would go No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was Towns whom the late great Flip Saunders selected.

Three picks later, Porzingis came off the board at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. It was a heavily scrutinized move by media members and fans who questioned what Phil Jackson was thinking by passing up on the likes of Emmanuel Mudiay and Justise Winslow.

Though he may never get the credit he deserves, Jackson’s selection of Porzingis has proven to be the right move.

Towns and Porzingis went on to finish No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2016 Rookie of the Year voting, with both earning unanimous selections to the 2016 All-Rookie First Team. Both have the look of future franchise players and each have had to overcome their fair share of obstacles.

No matter what else you have to say about Jackson’s tenure as team president, it’s he who gave the Knicks Porzingis when the masses told him not to.