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

4. The Transition

The New York Knicks are asking quite a lot of Kristaps Porzingis this early in his NBA career. He’s made an unfathomably difficult transition to New York City and the NBA from not only playing in, but living in Europe—a move that could cause some sort of culture shock both on and off the court.

Although their situations may not have been identical, Pau Gasol can help Porzingis with any concerns he may have and prepare him for the increased role he’s soon to receive.

Like Porzingis, Gasol made the jump from Spain’s Liga ACB to the NBA. He was one of Spain’s most accomplished young players, and was drafted to a lowly organization that asked him to put a team and city on his back and create a general sense of relevance and importance.

The Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks shoulder different expectations, but Gasol knows all about facing the pressure to win from a demanding fan base.

In addition to making the leap from Spain to the NBA, Gasol played and won in a major market. He may have been a No. 2 star with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he was one of the heroes during both of the team’s championship runs.

Knowing both what it’s like to play for Phil Jackson and what it takes to win in a demanding major market, Gasol has the perfect brain for Porzingis to pick.