The Porzingis Project is fast becoming the Porzingis Show in New York, with Phil Jackson’s controversial first round draft pick playing way better than even the Knicks expected so soon. 7’3″ Kristaps Porzingis is averaging nearly a double-double and looks strong on both ends of the floor, not to mention fluid and smart. Every step along the way — since his first display of grace in the face of boos on draft night — Porzingis has exceeded expectations. And coach Derek Fisher, a winner who endured a horrible rookie coaching campaign waiting for the Knicks to rebuild, can’t help but keep putting Porzingis in the lineup. With him the Knicks are suddenly capable of winning any night.
[Porzingis Develops Fast For Knicks: Leads In Rebounds, Steals, Blocks]
The Knicks didn’t win against Dallas this week, in a game that saw superstar Dirk Nowitzki (to whom Porzingis is most often compared) visit Madison Square Garden and score 25 points at age 37. Coach Fisher says the comparisons are too much too soon. But he couldn’t help adding “Dirk has been a Hall of Fame-caliber player for a long time. Kris [Porzingis] has potential that shows his upside may be as high.”
