National Basketball Association

Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis Trains With Russell Westbrook

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Another member of the New York Knicks is working out with Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook. This time, it was Kristaps Porzingis.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas made waves in New York when it was announced that he was training with Russell Westbrook. It didn’t take long for fellow New York Knicks star and Liga ACB alumni Kristaps Porzingis to join the fray.

As Porzingis prepares for his second NBA season, he’s exploring every possible avenue for improvement.

Porzingis is coming off of a season for which he was unanimously selected to the 2016 All-Rookie First Team. He played sensationally well on both ends of the floor and captivated the masses across the NBA.

Porzingis took steps towards building upon that success when he worked out with Westbrook and former Knicks standout Iman Shumpert.

If nothing else, Porzingis was likely tested physically.

If John Wall is the fastest player in the NBA, then Westbrook holds the claim to being the most explosive. His ability to turn speed into power is uncanny, and his craftiness in being able to stop on a dime and pull up for a jump shot is downright unfair.

If Porzingis can handle switching off of a pick and roll against Westbrook, he can do it against anyone.

Their 2015-16 encounter suggests Porzingis has the potential to do so.

If you were to make a list of the players who are physically capable of blocking Westbrook’s shot on the drive, Porzingis would make it. He’s a 7’3″ goliath with a 7’6″ wingspan, unprecedented coordination, and intriguing athleticism.

From a defensive perspective, one could very easily make a case that no player in the NBA has a higher ceiling than Porzingis.

Offensively, training alongside Westbrook should give Porzingis an idea as to what to expect from Derrick Rose. Rose isn’t as explosive as he used to be, but his speed and agility still rank amongst the best in the NBA.

Westbrook may not be coming to New York any time soon, but he’s already helping the Knicks develop the future stars of the organization.