- 20,095
- 14,638
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2008
OfficiaL '16 NYK offseason thread, Melo goes to bodega in bathrobe and Olympic hat
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by pr0phecy718,
- Start date
- 3,932
- 860
- Joined
- May 17, 2011
Just saw this
...Would've been fun for the Knicks to have tried him out on a 10-day contract, could've used the shooting.
- 239
- 60
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2002
New York Knicks' surprise: Kristaps Porzingis might be rookie of the year
40m - NBA, Kristaps Porzingis +1 more
Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton
For the past several years, ESPN Insider's Chad Ford and Kevin Pelton have provided the kind of discussions that are happening in front offices around the NBA -- where scouts and statistical experts are breaking down NBA prospects using their "eyes, ears and numbers." This season those conversations are extending beyond the NBA draft to include prospects in their rookie or sophomore seasons.
Surprising production
Kevin Pelton: Chad, there's an unexpected leader in my wins above replacement player (WARP) rankings among rookies: New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis, the No. 4 overall pick.
Per 36 minutes of action, through seven games, Porzingis is averaging 18.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.9 blocks.
The other KP has climbed just ahead of top pick Karl-Anthony Towns, whose own strong start we discussed last week.
Are you surprised how quickly he's been able to translate his tools into NBA production?
Chad Ford: Yes and no. I had Porzingis ranked No. 2 on my Grade A Mock Draft and felt the Los Angeles Lakers should take him. That view was supported by those who had scouted him heavily. But Porzingis, playing in Europe, just wasn't scouted as intensely by NBA decision makers.
Still, I am surprised at how quickly he has developed and adjusted to the NBA. Porzingis clearly is already playing with a confidence level that surpasses that of most other rookies.
Maybe that shouldn't surprise us. He was playing significant minutes in the Spanish ACB league -- the best pro league outside the NBA. Porzingis was playing against men. Against pros. Maybe we should've seen this quick transition coming.
Pelton: In large part because of the quality of ACB competition, my projections did suggest Porzingis was more ready than most observers believed. He ranked fifth in my rankings of rookie performance.
Where Porzingis is succeeding
Pelton: Despite those projections, I've still been surprised by a few things we've seen from Porzingis so far. I figured he would struggle to defend quicker forwards on the perimeter. Though that's been an issue at times, Porzingis' length has allowed him to make plays even when beaten initially.
Also, nothing in Porzingis' ACB stat line suggested he'd be such a Vine-worthy force on the offensive glass with put-backs. He ranks seventh in offensive rebound percentage among players with at least 100 minutes.
What have you seen watching Porzingis?
Ford: The same. Defense and rebounding were the things I thought he'd struggle with out of the gate. Porzingis is well ahead of the curve early on.
Ironically, where I thought he'd excel early -- shooting -- he's struggled. Porzingis is shooting just 23 percent from 3 so far. Given his soft shooting touch, I expect that will improve dramatically down the road. That makes me even more bullish about his future.
Areas for improvement
Pelton: The main shortcoming scouts tend to mention with Porzingis is his lack of strength. I think that's manifested itself most notably in terms of foul trouble. Porzingis is averaging 6.2 fouls per 36 minutes, which will make it difficult to ramp up his minutes too far from the 24.0 he's averaging thus far.
Where else do you see Porzingis improving?
Ford: He's using his length and quickness right now to defend, but as he gets stronger he'll cut down on all the reaching fouls.
And as noted, I think we will see his shooting improve dramatically. He has one of the purest strokes I've seen in a big man.
Rookie of the Year?
Pelton: Last week we all but awarded Rookie of the Year to Towns. Do you think Porzingis can make a run at the award based on what he's shown so far?
Ford: I do. We are two weeks into the season, and the advanced analytics point his direction early. He has the New York hype machine behind him. And he's really fun to watch.
I think Towns is better right now. And I think Towns is the best prospect in this rookie class. But Porzingis isn't that far behind now. And I don't think he'll be that far behind in five years either.
Porzingis in 2020
Pelton: All right, let's wrap up by discussing Porzingis' long-term future. Where do you see him five years from now? And how should the Knicks build around him to help maximize his potential?
Ford: On pure talent, he's got a shot at being a top-10 player in the league. He has a little further to go to maximize it than Towns does, but the potential is there. And yes, absolutely New York needs to build around him.
The Knicks won't have their draft pick in 2016 (thanks to the Carmelo Anthony and Andrea Bargnani trades), so that's not going to help. They'll have some salary cap room next year, but not max-type room.
So despite a decent 3-4 start by the Knicks, it might make sense for them to move even more boldly into planning for their long-term future. That could mean trading Anthony for future talent, preparing to grab one of the great crop of high schoolers coming into the 2017 draft and then using roughly $50 million in cap room to fill out their roster.
If Porzingis keeps getting better, Madison Square Garden will be a free agent destination again.
Pelton: I'm fascinated to see how Porzingis develops. We've heard a lot of Dirk Nowitzki comparisons, which are inevitable for any tall European player who can shoot.
Those projections are not altogether inaccurate: My SCHOENE projection system has Nowitzki as the third-best comparison for Porzingis at the same age. However, Porzingis has far more defensive potential than Dirk demonstrated.
So I think ultimately as he adds strength, he'll become a stretch-5 -- and possibly a new archetype all his own.
Appreciate this. Thanks!
- 20,095
- 14,638
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2008
Kristaps Porzingis
I will work as hard as i can to achieve my goals Kobe Bryant [emoji]127936[/emoji][emoji]128170[/emoji]
Al Iannazzone @Al_Iannazzone · 2h2 hours ago
Porzingis says he has to attack, and that Russell Westbrook is someone to emulate: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baske...-competitive-fire-shows-for-knicks-1.11074316 …
Al Iannazzone @Al_Iannazzone · 2h2 hours ago
Doesn't sound like Afflalo will make his Knicks debut tomorrow in Toronto. Maybe Wednesday in Charlotte
Al Iannazzone @Al_Iannazzone · 1h1 hour ago
Melo on Porzingis: "He’s actually doing more than what we hoped we’d get out of him."
Al Iannazzone @Al_Iannazzone · 37m37 minutes ago
Kristaps Porzingis: "they thought, skinny white guy, he’s not going to be physical. But I still fight for those reboiunds."
- 72,691
- 97,868
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2012
KP
- 25,553
- 18,405
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2003
Finally i copped me some tickets... it was supposed to be for the Lakers game this past Sunday but my coworker flaked so decided to go to the warriors game in January... I just want everyone to be healthy because the reason i wanted to see this game was for Steph Curry so im not really worried about the outcome of the game 
- 17,773
- 9,625
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2008
Finally i copped me some tickets... it was supposed to be for the Lakers game this past Sunday but my coworker flaked so decided to go to the warriors game in January... I just want everyone to be healthy because the reason i wanted to see this game was for Steph Curry so im not really worried about the outcome of the game
Get ready for Steph to drop 60 on #3 guarding him
- 29,630
- 1,862
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2003
I'm all for KP emulating wrstbrook!
- 72,691
- 97,868
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2012
KP's gotta emulate Dirk, Pau, & LaMarcus Aldridge
- 74,369
- 23,871
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2008
- 72,691
- 97,868
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2012
- 49,030
- 61,328
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2008
- 5,245
- 1,033
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2012
we got the best player in the league coming off the bench lol
- 87,735
- 50,125
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2007
It is what it is though. Do you want to be up 7-11 its and then the bench comes in and loses the lead by the end of the quarter?
- 72,691
- 97,868
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2012
we always talk about what would've happened if Curry fell to us but we got someone better
- 25,553
- 18,405
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2003
Told yall gallo was worth keeping this summer as a backup. hopefully he plays like this all year
- 10,246
- 8,501
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2014
So when AA comes back that should mean the end of Sasha
- 33,817
- 25,385
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
Always liked gallo. Dude is a smart player and you know what you're gonna get from him. Plus his improved shooting definitely helps.
- 72,691
- 97,868
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2012
Galloway's averaging something like 12-5-3.
very solid guard, hope he's around for a long time
very solid guard, hope he's around for a long time
- 17,773
- 9,625
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2008
- 49,030
- 61,328
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2008
By the time he comes back though well he 3-6 playing the Cavs
Last edited:
- 72,691
- 97,868
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2012
tough game vs Toronto tomorrow, would be nice to have him byke
heard Wednesday @ Charlotte is more likely tho
heard Wednesday @ Charlotte is more likely tho
- 30,131
- 5,140
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2002
You ppl heard about the three Eyed fish that was found in Brooklyn?
- 74,369
- 23,871
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2008
You talking about Jay-Z?
- 26,237
- 3,373
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2008
3 eye fish??
