Knicks: Porzingis to start Opening Night

When the New York Knicks made the choice to pick Kristaps Porzingis with the 4^th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft this summer they knew they were making an investment in their future. Video highlights of him in Europe and his performances in the preseason and in summer league showed he has great talent, but clearly still has a thin, young frame to work with. Yet despite this, the Knicks, according Marc Berman of the New York Post, have said they intend to start Porzingis at power forward Opening Night next Wednesday, October 28^th against the Milwaukee Bucks.

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Many NBA analysts and fans, including myself wondered what the logic behind this could be. He cannot be as talented or NBA-ready enough to warrant a start as other power forwards also on the team. He has some decent skills and has rare talent from the looks of it, but does that mean he’s ready or deserves to start an NBA game, especially the first game of the season?

It seems pretty clear the motive behind this move is that the Knicks want to get him game experience and get his development rolling so that in a year or two, or maybe less, he can play a huge role on this team. It is certainly possible he outplayed others at the power forward position on this team this summer to earn a starting spot, but I think there’s more to it than that.

Wanting Porzingis and Carmelo Anthony to learn how to play with each other could be a factor, but also his need to learn the triangle offense the Knicks run. It is no easy scheme and it will take lots of game time and experience to run it effectively. We saw that quite clearly last year.

Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks forward

Kristaps Porzingis

(46) shoots over the defense of Philadelphia 76ers guard

Scottie Wilbekin

(18) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas and Mack Center. The Knicks won the game in overtime, 84-81. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Porzingis excites me as a fan, and when I heard the news that he probably would be starting opening night I grinned from ear to ear. That’s leaps and bounds from how I felt on draft night when they selected him over other possible future NBA stars like Willie-Cauley Stein, Emmanuel Mudiay, Stanley Johnson, Justise Winslow and Frank Kaminsky, among others. It just goes to show how much he has already impressed many of those who have doubted him.

At that time though, I can honestly say I sat there with my head in my hands wondering why the Knicks were investing in the future yet again rather than choosing a proven commodity and someone with already developed skills and talent. Now after seeing him play a little bit I can see why they did so, and what plans they may have in mind for him.

In a few years, Porzingis could be one of the best players in the NBA at the Power Forward position, both defensively and offensively. He does need more training, game experience, and mentoring from older players and coaches, but in the meantime he can still be one heck of great player and a useful one at that.

He is already proven his height is enough to disrupt some shots at the rim and he also has a decent jump shot from mid range that is impossible to guard at his size. He still has quite a way to go, but these are good signs to see early in his development.

Jul 11, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Brandon Davies (0) shoots against the defense of New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (46) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The more Porzingis gets to play the better in my opinion, and I think this is a good move by the Knicks to start him right off the bat whether he deserves it or not. The Knicks owe it their fans to start their first-round draft choice, and seeing him play right away might ease some doubts about this teams’ future, especially after the Knicks finished with a 17-65 record last year. Additionally, the Knicks coaching staff will want to see how he responds to his first NBA regular-season game action and see what they’re working with.

Preseason games and summer league action are a much different ball game than the one he is set to embark into. He is entering a league where only the best players survive and have a good career, and the busts disappear quickly and are never heard of again. He is now a pro and he needs to step up his game and show he belongs.

Next: Knicks Rumors: Jerian Grant to Enter Starting Lineup?

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You can say he’s young and inexperienced, but that’s just an excuse. If you’re starting for a classy and historic organization like the New York Knicks there are a lot of expectations on you to play well and succeed. I guess only time will tell. In the meantime we’ll have to wait and see if he lives up to the hype. Maybe, just maybe he’ll shows flashes of meeting some of those expectations next Wednesday when the Knicks take on the Bucks in the season opener.

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