New York Knicks: 5 players for Kristaps Porzingis to study

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NEW YORK – JUNE 15: Hakeem Olajuwon #34 of the Houston Rockets shoots against Patrick Ewing #33 of the New York Knicks during Game Four of the NBA Finals played on June 15, 1994 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 1994 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Hakeem Olajuwon

Tempting as it was to include Kevin Garnett here, Hakeem Olajuwon is the more appropriate example of whom Kristaps Porzingis should study. Olajuwon was as versatile a defender as any big man in recent memory, and he still managed to dominate teams offensively.

Porzingis has made it known that he idolized Kobe Bryant, and Olajuwon may be the closest comparison as far as big men are concerned.

Olajuwon is a rare example of a player who was elite on both ends of the floor. He averaged 24.2 points per game between 1985 and 1997, and contributed elite numbers as a rebounder, shot-blocker, and turnover-creating opportunist who won Defensive Player of the Year in both 1993 and 1994.

Olajuwon achieved those incredible feats by polishing his fundamentals to the point of being able to overwhelm elite players without even leaving his feet.

Offensively, Olajuwon had a brilliant midrange game, a tight handle that enabled him to drive, and the best post game the NBA has ever known. Defensively, his footwork was impeccable, his timing steadily improved, and his effort never wavered.

Very few players have ever been genuinely elite on both ends of the floor, but the New York Knicks are counting on Kristaps Porzingis to join the select few.

Olajuwon can show him how.

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