While the Knicks have to be excited about 7’3 rookie Kristaps Porzingis being arguably the best rookie in the sport, his unexpectedly quick rise has created a logjam for the Knicks. He was drafted as a project, to be brought along slowly while Robin Lopez manned the center position, and other, cheaper bangers filled in the remaining minutes.
That’s how the Knicks roster became home to Lopez, Kevin Seraphin, Kyle O’Quinn, Lance Thomas and Lou Amundson. The glut of big men has become redundant, because Porzingis needs big minutes, and he’s also proven he’s a capable center.
Porzingis Took It To Karl-Anthony Towns On Defense
One of the Knicks’ most-used lineups, featuring Porzingis at center, is outscoring opponents by 36 points per Yahoo. That’s no surprise because of Porzingis’ floor-spacing, and his game-changing rim protection. While opponents may be able to back him down because he’s skinnier than most centers, his 2.1 blocks – a team-high – give players going at him a reason to be wary.
“When we constructed our roster, there probably weren't going to be a lot of minutes at the center spot because of the guys that we do have. I think as we've grown and evolved, and the way teams are playing, we've been able to do it some,” Knicks coach Derek Fisher said.
Porzingis Has Carmelo's Blessing to Be The Man
So this is all good right? Why would a 7’3, two-way player drafted No. 4 overall developing more quickly than expected be an issue?
Because while the Knicks are likely better off with him at center, their roster can’t sustain playing that way. The Knicks simply don’t have the horses on the perimeter to play small-ball style with a very large man as the anchor. Playing like the Warriors works when the floor-spacers are Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes. The Knicks’ attempt at replicating that offense would involve Arron Afflalo, Thomas, and Langston Galloway. It’s infinitely less appealing.
No one is forgetting about Carmelo Anthony either. He has been productive from the 3-point line, knocking down 34.6 percent of his treys. But Anthony’s best trait has always been his ability to finish at the rim in traffic, and break down defenders one-on-one. Having him throw up 3-pointers robs him of his greatest skill.
From now until the trade deadline, president Phil Jackson should be trying to find off the radar options that teams would be willing to trade in exchange for one of their suddenly expendable bigs.
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