New York Knicks: Five Reasons To Make Kristaps Porzingis The No. 1 Scorer

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Mar 8, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) holds the ball away from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Learning To Close

The New York Knicks have done an atrocious job of helping Kristaps Porzingis learn how to close out games. The ball goes directly into the hands of Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose during late-game situations, and it rarely finds Porzingis.

Unless Porzingis is given the opportunity to try and fail during late-game situations, he’ll never learn how to become a closer as his career progresses.

Anthony and Rose are two of the most clutch players in the NBA, which makes it somewhat understandable for Porzingis to be put on the back-burner. The reality is: Porzingis represents the future of the organization.

If the Knicks are going to successfully build around Porzingis for years to come, then he must have the confidence to step up and take over during late-game situations.

Disregarding Anthony and Rose entirely would be counterintuitive, but the offense should run through Porzingis at the end of games. That will help him learn to make the right decisions late in the fourth quarter and force him to dig deep within himself.

There’s nothing more challenging for a player than overcoming fatigue and pressure late in games, and Porzingis must prove that he can handle the pressure.

Must Read: Prospects to scout for the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft

As the season winds down, it’s time the New York Knicks explored Kristaps Porzingis’ ability to be a No. 1 scoring option.

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