New York Knicks: Players Who Must Step Up Against Indiana Pacers

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Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks center Kirstaps Porzingis (6) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kristaps Porzingis

Position: Power Forward
Games Played: 27 of 27
2016-17 Slash Line: .451/.384/.786
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 20.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 1.3 APG, 1.8 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.1 3PM

Kristaps Porzingis and Karl-Anthony Towns may be garnering headlines, but the 2015 NBA Draft is ushering in the new dawn of the big man. Position roles have changed, but there are a number of young interior players who could be just as dynamic as Porzingis.

One of the underrated players whom Porzingis will be competing with for a spot atop the NBA’s hierarchy is Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

Porzingis and Turner play different positions, but both project to play big minutes against one another on Tuesday. The New York Knicks could shift Porzingis to the 5 in an attempt to match Indiana’s small-ball tendencies.

In that same breath, Turner is capable of switching to the 4 if Al Jefferson is brought in off the bench to play center.

Both Porzingis and Turner are becoming dominant shot-blockers and lethal shooters who can space the floor. They’re both athletic, in possession of stunning physical gifts, and hungry for success that the masses believed they’d fall short of achieving.

Porzingis needs to be prepared for a motivated Turner, who’s already averaging 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game.

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