• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

GREENBURGH – The New York Knicks and Phil Jackson with the 4th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft defied popular opinion and picked European shooter supreme Kristaps Porzingis.  The boos and hisses were probably louder than when the Knicks picked Danilo Galinari with the 6th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft.  He turned out to be pretty good and more than decent.  In fact, if not for Gallo there would be no Carmelo Anthony as Gallo was a pawn in the mega trade.

It’s not as if the kid doesn’t have talent.  He’s athletically gifted at 7-1 and still growing.  He’s a great shooter.  He’s confident.  He’s long.  He’s hungry to get better to be great.  The question is, is he really ready?

“Lot of fans weren’t happy they drafted me,” Porzingis said. “I have to do everything in my hands to turn those booing fans into clapping fans. I was happy about it. Want to be part of this organization. The fans are harsh sometimes. That’s how it is in New York, and I’m ready for it.”

He has a strong outside shot, but scouts and fans and critiques wonder about his ability to adapt on the defensive end. The fear is that his frail body wouldn’t hold up and be effective.

“We need [someone] athletic and to make a real difference in the way we play,” Jackson said. “This young man is an eye-opening athlete and player, and so that’s something we have to go with.”

Porzingis averaged 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and one block in 33 games for Cajasol Seville in the Spanish league during the 2014-15 season. He also averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for Cajasol Seville in 16 Eurocup games.

“He shoots it with great ease,” Jackson said. “He fits very well into what we like to run.”

Jerald@puresportsny.com

Twitter: JerryHoover65

 

By Jerald Hoover

Editor-in-chief and Senior Writer; Professor Jerald L. Hoover is an instructor at LIU-Brooklyn where he teaches Strategic Sport Communication and Sports Management.

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