National Basketball Association

Kristaps Porzingis On Knicks: We Have To Make The Playoffs

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

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When asked what his expectations were for the 2016-17 New York Knicks, Kristaps Porzingis made one thing clear: “We have to make the playoffs.”

One could make a case that the New York Knicks haven’t been an organization with a long-term vision since the obvious selection of Patrick Ewing in the 1985 NBA Draft. Even Ewing was complemented with a grand total of zero Hall of Famers in 15 seasons.

The exception to that rule would be Bernard King, who played a grand total of six games with Ewing in 1986-87 before joining the Washington Bullets in 1987-88.

By drafting Kristaps Porzingis at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, however, the Knicks have committed to a long-term vision. Porzingis wasn’t the popular choice, but he was Phil Jackson’s preferred prospect at No. 4.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Porzingis has already set an ambitious goal for the Knicks just two years into his NBA career: make the playoffs.

Porzingis also agreed with Derrick Rose that the new-look Knicks can defeat any and every opponent they encounter.

It’s postseason or bust for the Knicks in 2016-17.

Porzingis was historically productive during the 2015-16 NBA regular season. He became the first player to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals made during their rookie campaign.

Porzingis thus earned a unanimous selection to the 2016 NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Unfortunately, Porzingis’ sensational rookie season wasn’t rewarded with a postseason appearance. Injuries to Carmelo Anthony and Lance Thomas hit New York in the midst of a push for the playoffs.

The Knicks never recovered.

New York opened the 2015-16 campaign at 22-22, thus earning the praise of the masses as a potential postseason team. The Knicks then went 10-28 the rest of the way, thus resulting in a 32-50 season record.

The Knicks managed to win 15 more games than they did in the season prior, but missing the playoffs was a tough outcome to stomach.

Just two years into his NBA career, Porzingis is already thinking like a Knicks fan.

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