https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmeVaxI5cEA
Excitement gleaned from the first three weeks of Kristaps Porzingis’ career was certainly understandable, but not necessarily earned in the manner many would have you believe. The New York Knicks’ burgeoning star entered Tuesday’s action a very good rebounder and an impactful, if inconsistent, defender at the absolute least. His reputation for highlight-reel put-back jams was certainly justified, too.
But Porzingis, for all the tantalizing flashes of talent he’d shown over the Knicks’ initial 11 games of 2015-16, still wasn’t making the offensive impact that befits his national notoriety. The 20-year-old came into Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets shooting dismal marks of 38.2 percent overall and 21.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Was his stroke effortless? Certainly. Did he occasionally exhibit the shot-making talent normally reserved for players far smaller? Definitely. And was his offensive performance still encouraging? Of course. Point being, though, Porzingis hadn’t quite established himself as a scorer how his increasingly vocal group of supporters made it seem – until now, that is.
Porzingis notched a career-high 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in New York’s 102-94 victory over Charlotte on Tuesday night. He connected on 11-of-17 from the floor, 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, and 7-of-7 at the free throw line, good for a sterling true shooting percentage of 72.2.
The 7’3 Latvian had it all going against Charlotte. With every splashed jumper, smooth post move and subtle, nuanced cut at Madison Square Garden, he somehow confirmed the existing hype and created even more of it. And if Porzingis’ performance on Tuesday is an indication of where his career his headed, it’s only a matter of time until he lives up to those lofty standards, too.
