In the first half of this season, the NY Knicks have faced many issues. The most important issue has been the injury to Krystaps Porzingas. During the 2017-18 season, Porzingas tore his ACL in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. At first, he was supposed to return after 9 months. However, his injury has still not healed. Prozingas has not traveled with the team, but he has gone to home practices and home games.
He has still been an important member of the team, but he has been unable to suit up for the Knicks. Clearly, the Knicks miss his scoring and his rebounding. Entering the season, Porzingas averaged 17.8 points a game and 7.1 rebounds. For his career, Porzingas has made 36.1% of his three point attempts. So, Porzingas has been a threat to score on the interior and the perimeter. It is simply difficult to replace that kind of player.
Porzingas was an excellent draft pick by the Knicks in the 2015 NBA draft. The Latvian sensation was an excellent player with the Latvia youth national team. Former president of basketball operations, Phil Jackson, made the right decision to draft him. Porzingas, when healthy, is a kind of player that teams can build around. He is 7'3 and capable of protecting the rim, rebounding and scoring from multiple places on the court. Porzingas’ versatility and talent is difficult to replace.
Porzingas’ skills are considerable. He can square up on a defender and make a mid range jump shot. He can run into the lane, receive a pass and score near the basket. He can catch an alley ooh pass with one hand and dunk the ball.
Porzingas can post up a defender and shoot over him from mid range. He can make bank shots over defenders. Porzingas can pass the ball to a player on the wing and then post up for a jump shot. He can dribble to his left and right while he is guarded and make a fade-away jump shot over a defender.
Porzingas can take a pass and move to the other side of the lane and make a shot over the defender. He can make a shot a foot or two behind the arc. Additionally, Porzingas can catch a pass in the paint and dunk with authority with one hand.
He can make a shot while being double teamed under the basket even while he is being fouled, which can result in a three point play.
Porzingas works hard on defense as well. He contests shots and tries to keep his man in front of him. He has excellent shot blocking ability. In a game last season against Indiana, Porzingas blocked 6 shots. Porzingas tries to be a complete players, which is something that any team can benefit from.
The Knicks have simply not been able to replace him this season. Noah Vonleh is a good power forward, but he does not have the scoring ability that Prozingas has. However, Vonleh should be given credit for his 8.6 rebounds a game this year. He has been a force around the basket.
Enes Kanter has played well at the center position this year. Kanter averages 14.9 points a game and 11.7 rebounds a game. He has been a scoring threat and a good rebounder this year. However, Kanter does not have the versatility of Porzingas. When Porzingas gets back from his injury, Kanter and Porzingas will form a strong starting front line.
Tim Hardaway, Jr., has shouldered much of the scoring load this season in Porzingas' absence. Hardaway Jr. is averaging 22.1 points per game. Hardaway, Jr. has been the most consistent scorer for New York this season. When Porzingas gets back, he will combine with Hardaway, Jr., and Kanter to form a strong "big three" that will help the Knicks to win games.
In Porzingas' absence, the Knicks are developing three rookies - Alonzo Trier, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson. All three have worked hard this season and are doing their best to develop their game. When Porzingas gets back, he will benefit from the progress of these three rookies. These three young players have helped the Knicks to become a more complete team.
Various reports have indicated that there is no timetable for Porzingas' return. However, when he does return, the Knicks will be glad to have him back.
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