The New York Knicks are trusting Kristaps Porzingis to become the next face of the franchise. Which players should he study in order to justify the hype?
Over the course of the past two seasons, Kristaps Porzingis has become a beacon of hope for a fanbase that’s been fighting to escape the clutches of despair. The New York Knicks have been unable to reach the NBA Playoffs, but Porzingis continues to instill a rare sense of optimism.
As Porzingis prepares to embrace his role as the franchise player, history could be a friend that enables his growth and development.
One of the most appealing aspects of Porzingis’ profile is that he’s a student of the game. He not only respects those who played before him, but makes a concerted effort to learn from both their achievements and their mistakes.
In preparation for his most important season yet, Porzingis should continue to study the players who came before him—and we may be able to help.
There are countless players who have something to offer Porzingis, but the smartest type of development is gradual. Thus, the following list is comprised of the players who could best facilitate the rising star’s current development.
The question is: Which five players should New York Knicks rising star Kristaps Porzingis be studying in the pursuit of true greatness?
5. Dikembe Mutombo
This may seem to be a surprising inclusion, but Dikembe Mutombo ranks amongst the greatest defensive players in NBA history. Kristaps Porzingis has the potential to join him in that esteem as a 7’3″ shot-blocker with unprecedented athleticism and coordination.
As Porzingis attempts to become the defensive anchor for the New York Knicks, few big men have set a better example of how to do so than Mutombo.
Mutombo is the NBA’s all-time leader in blocks, which is an obvious testament to his value on defense. He also won a record four Defensive Player of the Year awards, led the league in blocks on three separate occasions, and twice led the NBA in rebounding.
Mutombo also helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals, was a three-time All-NBA honoree, and was an eight-time All-Star.
As Porzingis looks to cut down on fouls and stabilize his offensive contributions, Mutombo should be amongst his primary film studies. Mutombo’s timing when contesting shots was remarkable, and his rebounding prowess can help show Porzingis how to improve on his weakness.
If the Knicks are lucky, Porzingis will learn from the dominance that Mutombo displayed on the defensive end of the floor.
4. Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing played with a grand total of zero Hall of Famers during his illustrious NBA career. Nevertheless, he led the New York Knicks to 13 consecutive postseason appearances and two trips to the NBA Finals.
If Porzingis is eager to learn how to overcome the stress that comes with being a star in New York City, then Ewing will have the longest list of answers.
Ewing endured every high and low that contemporary Knicks stars have faced, but his effort never wavered. He left it all on the court every time out, and thus earned the eternal respect and admiration of fans around the NBA.
More importantly, Ewing successfully balanced anchoring New York’s defense with being the go-to scorer on offense—a burden Porzingis may soon be tasked with.
Ewing may not have shot the three-ball, but he had a gorgeous midrange game, a respected proficiency in the post, and a legendary defensive presence. Beyond his abilities, he was mentally tough and withstood a great deal of media punishment.
Between what he did on the court and how he handled himself off of it, Ewing set an excellent example for Porzingis to follow.
3. Dirk Nowitzki
Kristaps Porzingis spent a week of his summer learning from future first ballot Hall of Fame inductee Dirk Nowitzki. It was an incredible experience for Porzingis, who has never been one to run from the comparisons to the legendary German big man.
Although he may have learned quite a bit already, there are nuances to Nowitzki’s game that will take years of studying and understanding.
Nowitzki is the only three-point shooting big man on this list, which was done on purpose. Porzingis already has an outstanding outside shot, and patterning his game after another shooter would mean ignoring the other areas in which he must improve.
The beauty of Nowitzki’s game is that he mastered the area in which Porzingis should spend a significant amount of time: The mid-post.
Nowitzki became an MVP and NBA champion by mastering the art of the midrange jump shot. That may not be the most valued shot in today’s NBA, but if a player can consistently knock down the three-ball and work from midrange, getting to the rim will become even easier to do.
Nowitzki is known for his jump shot, but it’s the footwork and the balance that made his game as effective as it’s been for the past 19 years.
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.
1. Tim Duncan
Dirk Nowitzki may be the player whom Kristaps Porzingis is most commonly compared to, but it’s Tim Duncan whom he should attempt to emulate. Few rivaled Duncan’s fundamental polish, and even fewer played in such a methodical manner.
As Porzingis attempts to anchor the Knicks’ efforts on both ends of the floor, no player can set a better example of how to lead both on and off the court than Duncan.
At 7’3″, Porzingis’ flashy finishes are more of a luxury than a necessity. He, like Duncan, can develop go-to shots from the low block, mid post, and high post, thus balancing out the three-ball that adds an even stronger element to his game.
Moreover, Porzingis can develop a style of play that’s not only physically forgiving, but more effective and efficient than the highlight reel approach.
Defensively, Duncan’s timing bordered on being impeccable. He boxed out for rebounds, rarely left his feet on pump fakes, and understood that his greatest value was under the basket, even if he could provide other contributions in spot situations.
Porzingis has all of the tools to defend like Kevin Garnett and score like Dirk Nowitzki, but it’s Duncan who can show him how to simplify the game.
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The New York Knicks are fortunate to have a student of the game like Kristaps Porzingis leading the charge. These five legends could help shape a brighter future.