• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

NEW YORK — This is an unforgettable week that ‘is’ for New York Knick rookie phenomenon, Kristaps Porzingis.  First he outshines Jeremy Lin for “Lin and ZingSantiy” supremacy in an epic game at Madison Square Garden that the Knicks won, 102-94.  In fact, Porzingis also known as “KP”, almost did it twice as he sank a three-pointer at the buzzer down in Charlotte (November 11) against the Hornets that wasn’t counted.  That shot would have given the Knicks a 96-95 win.

Porzingis got his revenge however with a career high, 29 point, 11 rebound effort on (November 17) in front two of the most prolific big-men in the history of the Knicks in Hall-of-Famers, Willis Reed and Patrick Ewing.  Ewing who serves as an assistant coach with the Hornets was impressed with Porzingis in the preseason and he’s even more so now.

Porzingis took his show on the road.  Against the Kevin Durant (out with a bum hamstring) less Oklahoma City Thunder, the Knicks notched 93-90 win to which KP was rather pedestrian with seven points and six rebounds.  But, in Houston against the Dwight Howard (rest on back to backs) less Rockets, KP has another coming out party.  And it was a party indeed as in a block party.  Along with a Knicks high 24 points and 14 rebounds, KP also had a (this season’s) rookie class high of seven blocks.

KP played like an All-star in Houston as he did quite a bit of damage in the second half.  He shot and made timely free throws, grabbed key rebounds and of course the defense that culminated in blocks and deterred shots. KP’s running hook shot in the third was a classic George Mikan-ish shot.

This Knicks won, 107-102.  The win marked the first such in 11 years.  Porzingis with his effort against the Rockets became the only 20 year-old to have over 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.  Shaquille O’Neal is the other.

So much has been made of the Draft Night to now to which it now seems like a blur.  That also shows the character, heart and intestinal fortitude that this young man possesses.  How many rookies or veterans for that matter, would have the guts to want New York in the manner that Porzingis wanted it after being booed and scorned in front of the Nation on one of the NBA’s biggest nights.

Porzingis’s 29 point effort currently stands as the rookie high point output this season.

The Knicks are 8-6 with a 5-2 record on the road.  The Boys from Gotham hadn’t won their 8th game last season until the 44th game of the season. Porzingis’s 14 rebounds is tied for rookie high with Karl Antony-Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

You can follow Jerald Hoover on 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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