For casual basketball fans, the lasting images from Kristaps Porzingis’ debut with the New York Knicks will be a pair of splashes from beyond the arc. A 7-foot-3 teenager with a compact, effortless stroke who’s already comfortable knocking down NBA triples? That’s a rarity, of course, and an attribute that will loom especially large as the rookie continues to hone his entire offensive repertoire.
But there was another play Porzingis made in his team’s 100-81 win over Brazil’s Paschoalotto Bauru that was far more impressive than an open jumper or two.
In August, Phil Jackson made headlines by saying that the No. 4 pick of the draft “might almost be too tall for the game.” More important than that incendiary quote, though, was the praise New York’s president lavished upon Porzingis for his innate ability as a shot-blocker and overall defender. “On defense,” Jackson explained, “he can block shots from behind and is quick enough to stay in front of guards in screen-roll situations.”
Not only is Porzingis quick enough to make up for subpar initial positioning, but he’s dexterous enough to block shots with both hands. Just how many big men in the league are capable of a defensive play like this one?
There will be growing pains for the Latvian giant on both ends of the floor in 2015-16. It’s never been more difficult than now for rookies to acclimate to the NBA game. But with every eye-popping defensive sequence and display of his natural offensive gifts, Porzingis will hint at just how good he could eventually become – and Knicks fans will drool.
