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Christmas gifts the New York Knicks have given fans in 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – DECEMBER 14: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 14, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – DECEMBER 14: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on December 14, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Kristaps Porzingis’ Breakout Season

The New York Knicks entered the 2017-18 NBA regular season with high hopes for Kristaps Porzingis. By trading Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Knicks made it public knowledge that Porzingis had become the new franchise player.

Despite losing his friend and mentor to the trade mere days before training camp began, Porzingis has aced the first third of his introduction to superstardom.

Porzingis currently ranks No. 4 in the NBA in blocks per game and No. 11 in scoring. More specifically, he’s averaging 24.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.9 three-point field goals made per game on an efficient slash line of .453/.385/.845.

Injuries have been an issue for Porzingis in 2017-18, but when he’s been healthy, his impact has been felt on both ends of the floor.

The beauty of watching Porzingis play like a star is that it validates the belief that it was time to pass the baton. Carmelo Anthony alleviated a significant measure of pressure from the Latvian phenom in 2015-16 and 2016-17, but the time had come to move on.

Porzingis has faced an inevitable learning curve, but what he’s managed to do within his first 32 games as a franchise player is nothing short of astonishing.

Must Read: The New York Knicks are displaying a sense of urgency

The New York Knicks have given fans reasons for misery in the pat, but this Christmas, there will actually be gifts for the loyalists to support.

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