New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis has completed the best calendar year of his basketball career. What were his best performances of 2017?
The New York Knicks took a leap of faith on the night of the 2015 NBA Draft. With fans clamoring for an American star and then franchise player Carmelo Anthony entertaining Justise Winslow, former team president Phil Jackson shockingly selected Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall.
Three calendar years later, the Knicks are being praised by even the most bitter and spiteful of fans for the Porzingis selection.
In year three of his NBA career, Porzingis is earning the hype of a potential All-NBA honoree. He’s averaging 24.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.8 three-point field goals made in 32.1 minutes of court time per game.
That puts him in a rare tier as one of two players in the NBA averaging at least 20.0 points, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 three-point field goal made per game—and only Kevin Durant is joining him.
With a new year upon us, it’s easy to get caught up on what’s soon to come. Before we can focus on the future, however, we must respect the past and honor what Porzingis has done to get to his current level of success and respect.
The question is: What were the best performances from the best calendar year of New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis’ career thus far?