The Knicks had everything go wrong for them last season as they managed to eek out just 17 victories while their big money superstar, Carmelo Anthony, opted to undergo season ending knee surgery following his All-Star Game appearance.
Playing poorly does have its benefits, however, as the Knicks were able to grab the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft. Much to the dismay of booing fans, the team took Kristaps Porzingis, a Latvian power forward who had been playing in Spain. Even Melo was reportedly livid by the selection.
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Fast forward a few months and you'll find Knicks fans and players alike singing a different tune. The 7-foot-3 rookie quickly impressed and changed the mind of Melo, leading to the two players developing a mentor/apprentice relationship.
For his Knicks regular season debut, Porzingis struggled a bit early on, but he quickly adapted to the game and used his massive frame to get to the free-throw line a team leading 12 times. He finished with 16 points as the Knicks routed the Bucks, 122-97.
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Porzingis still has a bit to work on, as he shot just 3-of-11 from the field. That said, the rookie showed great promise, and the Knicks as a team looked better than they have in a long time. If Melo and Porzingis continue to grow their budding relationship, Madison Square Garden may see itself some postseason basketball.
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