Unicorn Unleashed-Kristaps Porzingiz

The Phil Jackson nod. That’s all it took for the slender Latvian to become the great new hope of the New York Knicks. In the mecca of playgrounds and hardwoods where Kenny Anderson once dazzled fans with handles so fresh, as the pillared pride of the New York baller. Not since Patrick Ewing, have the Knick’s hopes bet so heavily on a youngster. The Knicks have slummed in the gutter of NBA basketball, since they traded away their devalued franchise player decades ago. Since Ewing, there was the disaster that was Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph’s burger binge, David Lee’s inflated stat line, Raymond Felton’s existence, a brief high of Linsanity, Amare’s shaky knees and finally the New York state of Melo. The superstar that was dubbed the savior of the franchise, rummaging through Derick Fisher’s bitch Slapping and Kurt Rambis’s 80s mustache. Melo has been the punching bag of the franchise, some necessary, most arbitrary.

Fast forward to the 2015 draft; Knicks fans subdued, as the lost season was destined to amount to a promise the big city was thirsting for. All eyes were on D’angelo Russel and Jahlil Okafor, two franchise cornerstones touted to change the landscape of any franchise. Tested in the battle infested NCAA, Russel was a sleek shooting crafty guard that looked like a lefty version of Steph Curry. The latter, was the most dominant big man in college, leading the blue Devils and the nation in domination. In the midst of all the hoopla, a skinny Latvian workout video appeared with the stalking frame of Phil Jackson hawking from the rafters. Kristap’s Porzingis’s workout was off the charts. No contact drills showed skills at 7’3 never seen before. It also showed a sniper like shooting touch that was unswerving, easy and barely tickling the twine. Jackson was in a bind, divided by a couple of so called “safe” choices and his gut, his gut was probably right. 

Kristaps Porzingiz is the future. A do it all giant that shoots 3s from Steph range and leap frogs over players for blocks and dynamic rock your face off rim rockers. The unicorn is real, even though he looks like a created a player that would only exist on NBA 2k, this unicorn exists.

If we look closer at KP, he was actually created by his brothers, his coaches and mentors. They prepared him early for this moment. His shot mechanics and insatiable attitude are there to prove it. GMs questioned KPs thin frame and particularly his base. An issue he has addressed by adding more weight to his core. Continuing his progress into one of the most double teamed players of the 16-17 season, the youngster’s most challenging obstacle is his on ball defense, particularly with gaurds on a switch. It is almost redundant that foreign players are questioned with delicate softness. Questions early on about KP’s love for the game were squashed after 2 put back dunks mesmerized the garden faithful with a roar. These doubts come from an even keel Kristaps, spoon fed the game. Many tall young men are berated to play basketball at a young age. As hard as it is for any athlete to be a select member of the NBA, it is empirically common for 7 footers to play in the NBA at one point or another. There is an astonishing fact that roughly 10% of 7 footers worldwide have played in the NBA in some capacity. What really raises GM’s eye brows, is when they see a European 7-footer draining jumpers like Dirk and looking like a created player who was born on a game console.

As for the Knicks, they are at a cross roads of sorts when it comes to catering for KP’s rise. Is Carmelo Anthony the best fit for KP’s development ? Is he better off becoming a focal point now and learn by trial and FML? Does the potential rise of the Knicks back to the playoffs bode well for a young KP?

Lots of questions, fairy tale answers, about one unicorn that this state of mind was built for.

Much love and basketball,

Rambeeni