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

Pro: Matchup Nightmare

It’s no secret that Kristaps Porzingis is one of the most dynamic players in NBA history. The New York Knicks star is an athletic and coordinated 7’3″ big man who can play and defend multiple positions, and do things that few his size have ever been capable of.

By starting Porzingis at center, the Knicks would put him in a position to put his unique abilities to use in an almost unstoppable way.

Porzingis’ size enables him to do whatever he wants against any caliber of opponent, and the sooner he realizes that, the sooner he’ll dominate. True as that may be, the contemporary power forward has the athletic tools to remain in front of Porzingis and keep up with his movements.

Even the most athletic of centers would have trouble with the tallest 3-point marksman in NBA history.

It took Porzingis less than two NBA seasons to earn that distinction.

With Porzingis at the 5, it stands to reason that New York could utilize a rotation with five competent 3-point shooters. That would create incredible spacing for ball-handlers to work and navigate, including Derrick Rose, who could slash in this rotation as the only non-shooter.

If a defense plays Porzingis close and refuses to let him get his shot off, then he’s more than capable of taking elite defenders off the bounce.

When all else fails, Porzingis’ ever-expanding post game can do the trick.

If Porzingis can do that to an all-world defender like Draymond Green, just imagine what he could do to a less mobile center.

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The New York Knicks have a structural decision to make about Kristaps Porzingis and the position he’ll play in the future. Starting him at center could be the answer.