New York Knicks: Pros, Cons Of Kristaps Porzingis Playing Center

Pro: Defining Defensive Responsibilities

As previously alluded to, Kristaps Porzingis’ thin upper body would be exposed to more punishment if he were to predominantly play under the rim. Whether it’s boxing out for rebounds or defending the post, Porzingis would be forced to play a physical game at center.

Having said that, the current defensive role that he plays has been far more strenuous on his body than his 2015-16 role was as a rim protecting big man.

Porzingis is being stretched far too thin in 2016-17. He’s capable of defending multiple positions and flashing out to the perimeter, but too often is he tasked with closing out on shooters when he should be the last line of defense at the rim.

By playing center, he’d encounter fewer stretch big men and would have a much easier time doing what he does best on defense: protecting the paint.

This is less about limiting what Porzingis does on defense and more about defining his role. He has Kevin Garnett potential on the defensive end of the floor, but the key to Garnett’s 2008 Defensive Player of the Year campaign was that his duties were more specifically outlined.

The less Porzingis has to run out to the 3-point line, the easier the game will be on his bothersome achilles tendon and the better the Knicks will be as a team.