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New York Knicks: What Kristaps Porzingis must do to become a superstar

By James O'Connell

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks enters the arena before a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 27, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks enters the arena before a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 27, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS – FEBRUARY 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Willy Hernangomez #14 of the World Team are seen the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS – FEBRUARY 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 and Willy Hernangomez #14 of the World Team are seen the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge as part of 2017 All-Star Weekend at the Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Team Success Matters

The superstars who are most respected in the NBA tend to have hardware and winning records to show for it. While it certainly isn’t Kristaps Porzingis who’s at fault for the losses, he’s now entering the stage of his career where he should show the ability to lead his team to wins.

The most valuable attribute to a team-first player is winning. If you have a history of being on losing teams and not being able to do anything about it, you are rarely seen as superior.

The leading aspect is one that Porzingis is still learning—an understandable reality at 22 years old. While Phil Jackson wasn’t the greatest executive, there was no excuse for Porzingis to blow him off for an exit interview.

This sent a terrible message to the press, and Knicks fans all around. KP can’t riot against management when he is the leader of a team, even if he was right.

Leading by example is essential to be seen as the leader of a team, and Porzingis must set an example for a winning culture in New York if he wants to be seen as a superstar.

Must Read: 5 players for Kristaps Porzingis to study

Thankfully, everything that Kristaps Porzingis needs to do is within his wheelhouse. The New York Knicks must now enable him to realize his potential.

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