Phil Jackson Comments on Kristaps Porzingis' Game, Hard Work, More
The New York Knicks fanbase isn't the only one enamored with rookie Kristaps Porzingis. So is team president Phil Jackson.
"There's a magical element to this young man that's caught the admiration of the fanbase and around the country who follow the Knicks," Jackson said, per Marc Berman of the New York Post. "He's got the right temperament, right attitude, carries himself well. He's not getting the calls, [but] he doesn't protest or get upset."
Porzingis, 20, is averaging 13.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks through his first 18 career games. Expected to be part of a slow learning process his first season, the Latvian forward has exceeded expectations in nearly every way—including his ability to embrace the New York culture.
"He has a very calm, balanced nature about his game," Jackson said in the same piece. "It's a learning process. You see the growth game to game. That's really the ticket you look at. You watch a young player developing, learning, how he's learning to deal with the physical nature of the game, speed of our game.
"The other day [the media] made a big thing of [Dwight] Howard dunking over the top of him," he continued. "It's ridiculous. Everyone gets dunked on in the NBA. He laughed it off. He's a lightning rod to our fan corps. You can't hide him. He stands out in the crowd."
His rapid ascent has already got Knicks fans dreaming of a post-Carmelo Anthony era where Porzingis is leading the way. Even Anthony, the 31-year-old franchise face, acknowledges his heir apparent is already in place.
"He's going to lead this organization long after I'm retired," Anthony said, per Sports Illustrated. "Hopefully we can hoist one or two [championship trophies] before that happens."
The Knicks are already sitting at 8-10 after finishing a dreadful 17-65 last season. Anthony's return from injury has combined with a surprise turn from Porzingis and solid veteran contributions from Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez to give the team a solid core.
While they're far from a championship contender, the Knicks appear on the cusp of an Eastern Conference playoff spot—a key given their draft pick will be headed to the Toronto Raptors.
"It's not me, it's all on him," Jackson said of Porzingis, per Berman. "This is the young man that's done it. You sit in those spots [in the draft] and analyze what you can do and have control of. … We made a choice, a logical choice, and not having seen him but once in person, just in a shooting exhibition, I felt comfortable making the choice. I'm just happy the personality, drive and work ethic goes along with that talent level."
Still, everyone at Madison Square Garden recognizes the future is bright. That's enough to make Porzingis' presence alone worth celebrating.
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