New York Knicks: Hubie Brown Evaluates Kristaps Porzingis

Former New York Knicks head coach Hubie Brown is one of the most knowledgable individuals in NBA history. What does he think of Kristaps Porzingis?

When Hubie Brown talks, basketball purists tend to listen. The former New York Knicks head coach has been in the NBA for upwards of 40 years. He’s worked the sidelines and blessed fans as a color commentator during live broadcasts.

With a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience, it’s hard not to take notice when Brown discusses the future of Knicks basketball.

While Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson make headlines for less than ideal reasons, Kristaps Porzingis has been a pure source of optimism. Some impatient fans have turned on him already, but the vast majority of basketball evaluators hold Porzingis in high esteem.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Brown praised Porzingis for being a truly unique player, but expressed how important it will be for KP to bulk up.

"“We haven’t seen this type of athleticism or shooting ability of a player 7-3,” Brown said. “Now, the improvement must come in body strength — upper and lower. Meaning, can he hold the post-ups in that when he gets to the post? Because right now, his post-up game is below-average. He’s got to work on his post-up game.”"

Porzingis can do just about everything on the court, but one of the few flaws in his game is his thin frame and the ramifications of it.

Porzingis has an impressive arsenal of post moves, but the one thing that’s missing is power. He can shoot over just about anyone in the NBA and has the creativity to get around those who defend him closely.

What makes Willy Hernangomez a more effective post player than Porzingis, however, is his ability to put his shoulder into someone and create space down low.

Porzingis needs even less space than Hernangomez to get his shot off, but adding a power element to his game would make him close to unstoppable. It would give him a go-to shot near the basket that can balance out his jump shooting barrage.

From there, Porzingis could conceivably develop into the 50-plus percent scorer that Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns already are.

Even beyond the power is the need for Porzingis to be able to physically hold his own in the post. When heavier players back him down, or when he attempts to do the same to stronger defenders, he must be able to gain and maintain controlling position.

On the topic of defensive execution, Brown noted that Porzingis is inconsistent in his ability to defend the perimeter, but praised him for being able to do so at all.

"“It’s going to come down to work ethic, injuries, how he attacks the summer sessions. Because we all know that he has to improve defensively. It wouldn’t be such an issue if he was just playing a 4. But he has to play 5s. Then when they switch out up top, he’s with a point guard, a 2-guard, a small forward, that will all create. So all of a sudden you’re saying, well, gee whiz, how come he can’t [defend those positions]? Whoa, whoa, wait a second! How many guys do you know, that size, have ever been asked to play defensively outside of 15 feet against perimeter guys?”"

That’s as fair and honest a take on the matter as you’re going to find.

If Porzingis is going to play power forward full-time, then he’ll need to be able to rush the perimeter and keep players in front him. He must also maintain his balance to be able to recover and protect the paint.

That’s a tall task, but it’s within the realm of possibility based on what the likes of Marc Gasol and Kevin Garnett did to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Porzingis’ teammate, center Joakim Noah, has thrived in that regard as a versatile defender—and that could make him the perfect defensive mentor.

Porzingis has the potential to match Garnett’s defensive prowess with a 7’3″ frame, a near 7’5″ wingspan, and unprecedented athleticism and coordination. He’s already an elite shot-blocker, but the key to his development will be finding an ideal balance.

Brown is confident that Porzingis will learn by fire. He praised what every Knicks fan seems most excited about: Porzingis’ attitude.

"“He’s going to learn. You see he’s learning the hard way. But don’t you love his attitude? His attitude is fantastic. Most of the time he says all the right things. And I’m a big fan, mainly because he’s going to be big, and he’s going to be big for a long time.”"

Porzingis approaches the game the right way and always seems to say the right thing at the right time.

Though some fans have grown impatient with Porzingis, he’s still just 21 years of age and is already one of the most versatile players in the NBA. In 2016-17, he became the first player in Knicks history to record at least 100 blocks and 100 3-point field goals made.

Porzingis is also the first Knick with at least 100 blocks in back-to-back seasons since Patrick Ewing did it in 11 consecutive campaigns between 1986 and 1997.

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Whether or not the fans remain patient, Kristaps Porzingis represents something that hasn’t existed in quite some time: a bright future.