The Knicks are throwing rookie Kristaps Porzingis, the fourth overall pick in the 2015 Draft, right into the fire on opening night. Porzingis will be the Knicks starting power forward vs. the Bucks, and he will get an early chance to prove the New York fans who booed him wrong.
Porzingis, 20, is 7’3 with 3-point shooting range that has been compared to perennial All-Star Dirk Nowitzki’s. There’s no doubt the fact both are foreign players weighs into the comparison, but another name floated in comparison to Porzingis is Kevin Durant. Porzingis was expected to be too raw and thin to play much in the beginning of the season, but head coach Derek Fisher believes he’s ready.
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"I just think his versatility changes what can happen on the floor because of the multiple skills offensively and defensively," Fisher said. "We obviously drafted him No. 4. Why should we hold him on the shelf? It doesn't mean he's going to start all season, but we feel like we've seen enough that he deserves the opportunity to show what he can do."
More importantly than proving booing fans wrong – when do New York fans of any sport not boo their pick? – is gaining the trust of Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks’ No. 1 was reportedly unhappy with the pick on draft night, believing the Latvian sniper would be too raw to help the Knicks win now. He has since changed his tune, and said he will mentor Porzingis.
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"I'm just there to be that sounding board and that guy to let him know what's here to come,” Anthony said. “To be a newcomer to this game, to this league, in New York, that's tough. I don't know if he knows what he's about to get himself into, so I kind of have to be that wall for him."
Anthony, who has averaged 20 or more shot attempts per game in each of the last three seasons, will also have to share the rock with the rookie. Porzingis was brought in to stretch the floor, and score a ton. Tonight’s lineup will include Jose Calderon, Sasha Vujacic, and Robin Lopez, so unless Anthony wants to win on his own, trusting Porzingis is paramount.
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