Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Tracking Kristaps Porzingis’ Progress Through 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) high fives fans as he enters the court for warmups prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) high fives fans as he enters the court for warmups prior to the game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) goes after a rebound with New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half of the game at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 110-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) goes after a rebound with New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second half of the game at the Moda Center. The Blazers won the game 110-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Rebounding

This is quite easily the most concerning regression, but it was partially by design and, quite frankly, healthy. Despite averaging 4.4 more minutes per game than he did as a rookie, Porzingis averaged fewer total and offensive rebounds per game.

That’s a concerning development on the surface, but it stands to reason that Porzingis’ regression is a product of the team’s design and the patience with his physical development.

The New York Knicks signed Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah, and Kyle O’Quinn to dominate on the boards, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. For as scrutinized as he may be, Noah averaged 14.2 rebounds and 5.7 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes.

Hernangomez wasn’t too far behind with marks of 13.6 rebounds and 4.6 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, and O’Quinn more than pulled his weight at 12.9 rebounds and 4.6 offensive rebounds per 36.

With three elite or borderline elite rebounders on the roster, Porzingis’ numbers in that regard are easier to stomach. True as that may be, New York is 15-18—.455—when Porzingis records a double-double and 48-83—.366—when he doesn’t since 2015-16.

It’s a wise strategic approach to have other players shouldering the rebounding load, but the Knicks have proven to be a better team when Porzingis is rebounding more.

Home/Knicks News