Moments after dribbling his way through a group of knee-high day campers, Kristaps Porzingis revealed that he has sky-high expectations his Knicks team this season.
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Rose has garnered attention this offseason for saying that the Knicks share the same “Super Team” label as the Golden State Warriors. But he does believe that the Knicks are now talented enough to beat any team in the league.
“That shows his confidence, that he believes in us”, Porzingis said. “I don’t know what’s a super team and what’s not a super team, but what I think he meant was that we’re able to win every game. It’s enough talking and we’ve got to go out on the court and prove that we’re a good team”.
Porzingis relayed the story on Saturday after hosting a youth camp in Westchester. Among his observations from the pickup games is a rejuvenated Rose, whose physical decline has been well documented since his first knee surgery in 2012. The biggest uncertainty is about the performance of Rose and Porzingis.
“He’s still got it”.
Porzingis’ size and skill should make him a decent post player, but with his high center of gravity strong players may be able to root him out of an ideal position. When he’s driving, he’s so risky. He draws so much attention when he’s driving, he’s so risky that I’m going to be wide open and that’s what I’m looking forward to.
Team goals seem to be more important than individual goals for Porzingis and that is a great quality in a player. He said he particularly loves Noah’s intensity.
“He’s great, I love him”. He brings that spirit, you know? Porzingis had a stellar rookie year, and we have yet to find out if he will continue to improve or reach his peak earlier than desired. Although both of them are physically fit and showing extra skills, we can not assure this that they will perform same in coming years.
Jeff Hornacek’s offensive plan for the Knicks reportedly goes something like this: Get out and run, play faster, but when they get in the half court they want to use the triangle offense as the basis of their sets.
Porzingis spent a big chunk of the summer back in Latvia.
Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 10.4 assists per game last season. “So I believe that they’re going to help me grow”.
“… That’s the type of guy that we want on our team”. When I have difficulties, I will not complain…. If we’re winning, that’s all that matters to me. And that can help me grow.
“The first conversation we had, I was in the training room and he came in with his shirt off, and I was like, ‘Oh man, you’ve been working out”, Porzingis said as reported by ESPN’s Ian Begley. But there is one thing that is causing hurdle; Russell Westbrook has made a contract with Thunders for three years with the cost of $85 Million.
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“That’s OK; it’s not in my hands”, said Porzingis, who hosted a camp for young players Saturday at the House of Sports in Ardsley, New York. That’s in my mind.
