When the New York Knicks drafted 7’1″ big man Kristaps Porzingis with the 4th overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, many fans saw a soft European player that ultimately won’t pan out. However, Porzingis performed at a high level in Las Vegas Summer League, showing he belongs in the NBA. He showed an excellent shooting touch for a 7-footer, an asset every team can use. There’s no denying it though, Porzingis is still raw and a liability on the defensive end. With his wiry frame, he’s bound to get bodied in the paint by bruising big men. It seems Porzingis knows this in a recent interview with Marc Berman of the New York Post:
“I’m in between happy and my normal calm,’’ Porzingis told The Post. “I’m not thinking: ‘I did good in summer league — now I’m going to do good in the NBA.’ Our training camp will start later and I have to prove myself once again, play as hard as I can and earn my minutes. That was just summer league — a few games to see how I compare to other rookies and get a taste of American basketball…
“At home I was working out with my brother [Janis] a little bit, lifting weights, going to the gym, getting shots up, but I just wanted to relax a bit,’’ Porzingis said. “Once I’m here full time now, I can just concentrate on eating a lot, lifting a lot and getting stronger…
“I thought I would go home and rest, but it was all interviews, media stuff,’’ he said. “A lot of interest back home, too, kind of intense. Just the last few days I went to the beach.’’
As we’ve seen plenty of times before, Summer League isn’t always the best indicator and doesn’t necessarily translate to NBA success. He lacks a true NBA body and physicality to prosper at the next level. Sure he could have a good rookie season, but it’s going to take years of hard work to ultimately get where he wants to get. The good thing Knicks can get out of this interview is that Porzingis is aware that greatness isn’t going to be acquired overnight, he’s going to have to work hard for everything.
