Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Realistic goals for Kristaps Porzingis in 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 11: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks is introduced before a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 11, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 11: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks is introduced before a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 11, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 11: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks celebrates a second half basket with Carmelo Anthony #7 while playing the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on March 11, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Detroit won the game 112-92. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 11: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks celebrates a second half basket with Carmelo Anthony #7 while playing the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on March 11, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Detroit won the game 112-92. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Compete For The Playoffs

With or without Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks need to embody the trait that made the teams of yesteryear so feared: Unrivaled competitiveness. New York may not win 50 games—or 40, for that matter—but it must not lose its competitive edge.

The Knicks have the personnel to make every game they play a battle, and the development of said identity begins with the franchise player.

Porzingis has the fire inside of him to one day become an elite scorer and a genuine defensive anchor. He doesn’t need to make that progress overnight, but if he proves relentless as a rim protector and fearless as a No. 1 scoring option, the team would have an example to follow.

Porzingis has the respect of the locker room and the admiration of the coaching staff, which is the perfect formula for leadership.

With Anthony on the roster, the Knicks should not only compete for a playoff spot, but reach the postseason. Without Anthony, the return would likely determine the validity of New York’s postseason aspirations, but competitiveness should remain nonetheless.

The Knicks don’t necessarily need to make the playoffs, but as the franchise player, part of the onus is on Porzingis to make sure his team never loses its desire to win.

Must Read: Realistic goals for Carmelo Anthony in 2017-18

It’s shaping up to be a polarizing season for the New York Knicks, but fans can exude confidence knowing that Kristaps Porizngis looks the part of a franchise player.

Home/Knicks News