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New York Knicks 2015-16 Team Regular Season Grades

By Kenneth Teape

Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) and guard Jose Calderon (3) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrate during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) and guard Jose Calderon (3) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrate during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks 2015-16 Team Regular Season Grades
March 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during a stoppage in play against Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Kristaps Porzingis

When Kristaps Porzingis was selected fourth overall in the NBA Draft last June, he was met with loud, boisterous boos. Those boos quickly turned into cheers, as Porzingis was one of the bright spots for the team this season.

Porzingis electrified the crowd whenever he touched the ball, and provided numerous highlight reel plays. Whether it be dunks on opponents or blocked shots, Porzingis had a knack for getting the crowd into the game. He is wise beyond his years, as he handles the media like a 10-year veteran and also handles himself on the court well also.

Despite being only 20 years old, Porzingis didn’t back down from anyone. He was clearly outmatched certain nights in terms of size, but he used his athleticism and length to his advantage as his 7-feet-3 inch frame is capable of doing things you would expect to see only from a player a foot shorter than him.

For his rookie season, Porzingis averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. He played in 72 games, as he missed the final seven games of the season because of a shoulder injury he suffered while blocking New Orleans Pelicans’ Alonzo Gee at the rim. He is only scratching the surface of his potential and has Knicks fans excited.

Porzingis looks like a franchise cornerstone for the Knicks to build on, as Phil Jackson looks to have gotten it right in last June’s draft.

Grade: A

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