Although Kristaps Porzingis wasn't expected to be chosen and people only viewed him as a 'project' that would grow over the years, He is continuing to show what he is capable of each game and becoming a big fan favorite.
by Omran Hamidi, staff reporter
During draft night, Knicks fans expected Phil Jackson and the crew to select a player that can help Carmelo Anthony and be his secondary. Fans were hoping for either Emmanuel Mudiay or Justise Winslow, both potentially great players. But it did not work out that way, when the Knicks fourth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft went to Kristaps Porzingis from Latvia. This was considered as a three year project, according to draft analysts and scouts, causing fans to become very upset with the decision as they thought once again that the New York Knicks have messed up again.
On this note, Jackson actually made the right selection. Porzingis, 7-3, is not your prototypical big man. He has it all including a post-up game, stop and pop, shrewd, clever, slick according to Clyde Frazier. Each game he shows more of what he’s capable of doing and has quickly become a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. “Everybody was saying that I was a project, to wait a few years,” Porzingis said after scoring a career-high 29 points and collecting 11 rebounds against Charlotte on Tuesday night. “I will get better in a few years, but I knew I was able to play right now. That was my mentality.”
Porzingis is no surprise, he played in the ACB league, one of the most recognized leagues besides the NBA. Although they don’t play 82 games a season, Porzingis is going to have to make the adjustment and it will come over time.
“Pozingis is making a huge impact on both ends of the court and the sky’s the limit for the rookies,” junior Mohamed Shah said.