New York Knicks: The quote that proves Kristaps Porzingis is learning from mistakes

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks in action against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 122-119 in double overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks in action against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 122-119 in double overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis is in his first season as a franchise player. This quote proves that he’s learning from his struggles.


An offseason of landscape-altering change has thrust Kristaps Porzingis into the incomparable role of being the No. 1 scoring option for the New York Knicks. While most knew his day would come, few expected to see the pressure mount so soon.

Porzingis has endured his fair share of issues during his first season as New York’s go-to scorer, but he continues to make progress that no one can deny.

Porzingis began the 2017-18 regular season on the highest of high notes, earning praise as a potential MVP candidate. His hot hand turned cold in December, however, which inevitably led to fans and critics questioning if he can be a true No. 1.

According to Marc Berman of The New York PostPhoenix Suns interim head coach Jay Triano provided a quote that proves Porzingis is learning from his mistakes.

"“He’s a tough guy to stop because he doesn’t put himself in position where you can really double him. He shoots it before a double-team can get there. He shoots it before the help can get there. He’s got a high release so he can shoot it over the top of 7-footers. I think the best way to guard him is to play him before the catch.”"

When coaches are designing gameplans to prevent the ball from even getting to you, it’s safe to say you’re doing something right on offense.

Compelling a thought as that may be, it’s not the most important portion of the quote. That distinction belongs to when Triano discusses the way Porzingis is shooting before help defenders can arrive.

It may seem inconsequential on the surface, but this is the very skill that Porzingis has acknowledged he needs to develop.

Facing defensive pressure that he’d never previously encountered, Porzingis is learning on the fly and adapting in remarkable ways.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek has encouraged Porzingis to shoot quicker and from a higher release point. He wasn’t suggesting that the 7’3″ phenom should rush his shot, but instead stating that he needs to make faster decisions once the ball finds his hands.

Triano’s comments imply that that Porzingis is learning from his rough December, as does the fact that he shot 46.8 percent from the field during New York’s recent seven-game road trip.

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Rather than allowing his inconsistency to get the best of him, New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis is learning from his mistakes and becoming an even better player.