The Knicks are hosting the Thunder tonight, and Kevin Durant, arguably the greatest scorer in the world, was gushing about seven-footers who can shoot, defend and block shots. He wasn’t being narcissistic either, because he was talking about Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis.
“He can shoot, he can make the right plays, he can defend, he’s a 7-footer that can shoot all the way out to the 3-point line,” Durant said. “That’s rare. And block shots — that’s like a unicorn in this league.”
Brooklyn Nets Have Unusual Way Of Recruiting KD
Durant probably doesn’t realize he’s describing himself as well, but he is excited about what Porzingis brings to the NBA. Durant also claimed to have seen this explosion coming. Most did not, and even those on board with picking Porzingis No. 4 overall mostly felt it would take him at least a season to become a viable NBA player.
“When they made the pick, I texted [Knicks head coach Derek Fisher] immediately and said ‘I like this kid, he can play.’ A lot of people were down on him, but he can play. He’s a skilled guy and I think we’ve gotten away from enjoying skilled players in this league. We get so many players that are athletic and big and strong, but he’s a skilled player.”
Vote For Kristaps Porzingis' Best Highlight
Durant is wise. Porzingis’ rookie season bears some interesting similarities to Durant’s first year with the then-Sonics.
|
Player |
Kristaps Porzingis |
Kevin Durant |
|
Points Per Game |
14 |
20.3 |
|
Rebounds Per Game |
7.8 |
4.4 |
|
Assists Per Game |
1.2 |
2.4 |
|
Blocks Per Game |
2 |
0.9 |
|
FG% |
42.6 |
43.0 |
|
3-Point % |
33.8 |
28.8 |
Porzingis has been a better rebounder, shot-blocker and 3-point shooter than KD was, and while Durant’s scoring was much higher, he didn’t have to share the court with Carmelo Anthony, an All-Star volume scorer.
So if you’re tuning in to tonight’s Knicks-Thunder game, be ready to see dueling unicorns letting it fly from the 3-point line.
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