New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis stated that he’d rather play the 4 than the 5. Head coach Jeff Hornacek is accommodating the request.
The basketball world has become consumed with the belief that Kristaps Porzingis is the ultimate matchup nightmare at center. While they may be on to something, the New York Knicks rising star isn’t ready to make the move.
While some may be sticking to the numbers, Porzingis would rather not play a position he’s not physically ready for—and head coach Jeff Hornacek shares the sentiment.
Porzingis acknowledged the benefits of playing center, but also touched upon what’s too often overlooked: The physical aspect of the game. He understands the offensive benefits, but feels he’d be wasting too much energy fighting for position with stronger players if he were to play the 5.
According to Mike Vorkunov of The New York Times, coach Hornacek agrees that Porzingis would be better off at power forward.
"“I think we gotta find a balance of size and age and strength and him getting banged by the big games all the time. Yes, it does bring him close to the basket for blocked shots, but we feel he can still do that from the weak side and come over and help. Some of the things we’re doing defensively, we’ll bring him there a little more often as a four-man. But it’s the pounding he would have to take some times against these guys.”"
That’s consistent with what Porzingis himself said about the issue, which is an encouraging display of a player and coach being on the same page.
Porzingis played 30 percent of his minutes at center as a rookie, but that number dropped to 21 percent during Hornacek’s first season in New York. It was a conscious change that accounted for Porzingis wasting energy by fighting through the strength disadvantage he currently faces against centers.
As Porzingis himself stated, it’s easier for him to get shots off over the average power forward than it is for him to overpower the average center.
That will change over time if Porzingis continues to bulk up, but until he’s physically ready, nothing matters more than protecting him from potential—and unnecessary—injuries.
Playing Porzingis at center would mean keeping him closer to the paint defensively and stretching the floor on offense. That’s an appealing truth, and it certainly makes sense from a strategic perspective, but rushing the process could mean inflicting unnecessary damage to his body.
Both the player and the coach seem to agree that the transition to center is one that will only make sense if it’s gradual and guided by precaution.
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The New York Knicks have a Unicorn in Kristaps Porzingis, but even a unique player must develop within the confines of their present limitations before expanding their horizons.