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New York Knicks: Five Benefits Of Kristaps Porzingis Training With Pau Gasol

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 13, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) gestures after hitting a three-point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) gestures after hitting a three-point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Perspective On Phil Jackson

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Kristaps Porzingis has left New York and will remain in Latvia until the 2017 training camp nears. That decision was made in light of team president Phil Jackson publicly stating that Carmelo Anthony should accept a trade.

At this moment, the best possible decision for Porzingis would be to spend time with a legend who can offer first-hand knowledge and perspective on what it’s like to play for Jackson.

Pau Gasol and Jackson didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but they built a healthy and flourishing relationship on the court. That duo, along with 2008 MVP Kobe Bryant, secured two NBA championships and three NBA Finals appearances between 2008 and 2010.

Thus, while Gasol may have his own personal horror stories about Jackson, he also knows why it is that Jackson is one of the most respected individuals in NBA history.

The New York Knicks need Porzingis to play every season with a clear head and a pure commitment to winning. He’s done his best to do exactly that, but the drama has persisted and Porzingis has finally grown tired of the incessant headlines made by the team president.

If anyone can teach Porzingis how to handle the nuances of Jackson’s leadership style, it would be a big man who won two championships working directly with The Zen Master.

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