New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis Shot Greatly Improved Says Jeff Hornacek
New York Knicks second-year forward Kristaps Porzingis has made some strides with his jump shot according to head coach Jeff Hornacek.
The New York Knicks have some higher expectations this season than in years past. Part of that optimism is because there is a new voice on the sidelines, as Jeff Hornacek was hired as the new head coach. Another reason for that optimism is the expected growth of Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He was met with boos and skepticism, as people had no idea what the Knicks were getting. Those boos quickly turned to cheers, as Porzingis cemented himself as a difference maker on both ends of the court.
Despite lacking the ideal strength and weight of someone that stands 7-feet-3 inches tall, Porzingis made it work during his rookie season. He flashed the immense potential that he possesses, blocking shots defensively with highlight dunks offensively.
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Arguably his best weapon is his ability to stretch the floor. Rarely do people that size have a deft touch outside the paint, but Porzingis thrives on the perimeter. He has a jump shot that opponents have to respect, while he can also put the ball on the floor to blow by defenders
Porzingis had a shooting percentage of 42 percent in his rookie season. He made 45 percent of his two-point shots and 33 percent of his three-pointers. It is an area the Knicks believe he can improve upon in his second season, and something Hornacek says he is already impressed by.
"“I think he’s improved greatly from last year just watching him shoot,” Hornacek said Thursday. “He’s really feeling confident about the shot. His corner 3s seem like they’re automatic. The one 3 that he made and the other 3 that he missed that went in and out [in Thursday’s scrimmage], they both were from about 4-5 feet from behind the line. So he’s got the range.”"
Hornacek and his coaching staff are trying to get Porzingis to use more arc on his jump shot. Since he is so tall, there is a tendency to shoot flat as there is a different perspective looking at the rim, Hornacek said.
The Knicks are also encouraging Porzingis to shoot more early in the shot clock. He can be deadly as a trailer shooting from the top of the key and the wings, and it is something Phil Jackson has told him that he likes.
"“I think that’s a high-percentage shot for me,” he said. “Last year Phil Jackson, he told me that he likes that shot. I wasn’t so sure about it at first. It was early in the offense. I didn’t know if it was the best shot. But once we saw the percentages, he said it’s a pretty good look if I get that. The bigs a lot of times, they’re giving me that space, then just take that shot. Once he said that I have his confidence in me, and it was just, ‘Let it go.’ I’ll probably do the same thing this year.”"
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An improved, more confident Porzingis is bad news for the rest of the NBA and music to the ears of the Knicks. He showed last season that is more developed than people believed, and there are high hopes he takes that next step as a sophomore. His development will be something to watch as it could determine just how successful the Knicks can be in an improved Eastern Conference.