National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: 5 Upside Comparisons For Kristaps Porzingis

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:09 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks have entrusted the future of the organization to Latvian sensation Kristaps Porzingis. What can New York expect in the long-term?

Oct 8, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after scoring a basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis has come a long way since he was known as the scrawny European kid whom Phil Jackson shouldn’t have drafted. In just one season, he’s effectively earned the title of the future franchise player for the New York Knicks.

Though Porzingis may not be like any other player in NBA history, there are upside comparisons that can collectively define what he’s capable of achieving.

Porzingis is a 7’3″ and near 240-pound power forward with the positional versatility to play center on a full-time basis. He can score with his back to the basket, space the floor from beyond the arc, and take his man off the bounce.

On the opposite end, Porzingis’ height, length, athleticism, and coordination enable him to dominate the defensive interior.

Porzingis made the All-Rookie First Team in 2015-16. He earned that distinction by becoming the first rookie in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals made.

The question is: which players best represent Porzingis’ full NBA potential?

Jan 19, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett reacts from the bench during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Timberwolves 114-99. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Garnett

Years Active: 1995 to 2016
Position: Power Forward, Center
Career Averages: 34.5 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 3.7 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.3 SPG
Career Statistics: 26,071 points, 14,662 rebounds, 3,209 offensive rebounds, 5,445 assists, 2,037 blocks, 1,859 steals

If all you remember about Kevin Garnett is his time with the Boston Celtics, then you missed out on a revolutionary career. Before small forwards were playing power forward, Garnett was a true 4 who could do it all on both ends of the floor.

Though he projects to be more proficient as a scorer, Kristaps Porzingis has the upside to be the same type of all-around threat as Garnett was.

Before KG was a defensive anchor who lived at the top of the key in Boston, he did it all in Minnesota. He was a perimeter and interior defender; a post scorer and a midrange marksman; a high-post facilitator and a big man with handles.

From 1999 to 2005, Garnett averaged 22.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.9 offensive boards, 5.3 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game.

Porzingis has the potential to mirror Garnett’s production and versatility. He has the tools to be a better scorer, but may take the Garnett and Tim Duncan route of spreading his focus across multiple areas.

It’s also worth noting that Garnett is a first ballot Hall of Famer despite having never added significant weight to his frame.

Apr 23, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) is introduced before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Nowitzki

Years Played: 1998 to Present
Position: Power Forward
Career Averages: 35.3 MPG, 22.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.1 ORPG, 2.5 APG, 0.9 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 1.3 3PM
Career Statistics: 29,491 points, 10,540 rebounds, 1,418 offensive rebounds, 3,414 assists, 1,180 blocks, 1,128 steals, 1,701 3-point field goals
Accolades: NBA Champion, Finals MVP, NBA MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 13x All-Star

The Dallas Mavericks drafted German prospect Dirk Nowitzki at No. 9 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft. In the 18 seasons that have followed, Nowitzki has earned his place as one of the greatest players in league history.

Kristaps Porzingis has been compared to Nowitzki every step of the way, and it’s only right to continue drawing parallels.

The similarities between Nowitzki and Porzingis are admittedly limited. Both are tall European big men who can consistently create their own offense and shoot from beyond the arc, but that’s as far as the comparison extends.

Those are significant similarities, however, especially when one considers how successful Nowitzki has been in the NBA.

Nowitzki’s ability to get his shot off against any caliber of defender has been the source of the Dallas Mavericks’ success. He led Dallas to the 2011 NBA championship and the 2006 NBA Finals, and has helped the Mavericks reach the playoffs 15 times over the past 16 seasons.

If Porzingis becomes anything close to the level of player that Nowitzki became, then the New York Knicks would have a genuine franchise player.

Feb 27, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers former basketball player Bob Pettit was honored with a statue on campus before their game against the Florida Gators at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Bob Pettit

Years Played: 1954 to 1965
Position: Power Forward
Career Averages: 38.8 MPG, 26.4 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 3.0 APG
Career Statistics: 20,880 points, 12,849 rebounds, 2,369 assists
Accolades: NBA Champion, 2x NBA MVP, 10x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 11x All-Star, 2x Scoring Champion, 1955 Rookie of the Year

Bob Pettit was Dirk Nowitzki before Dirk Nowitzki. He followed in Dolph Schayes’ footsteps as a sharpshooting big man during a period of time, the 1950s and 1960s, that didn’t have many great players cut from that cloth.

What separates Pettit from Nowitzki, however, was his physicality, tenacity on the boards, and defensive versatility.

Pettit scored more than 20,000 points and pulled down upwards of 12,000 rebounds during an era with limited offensive ingenuity and efficiency. He was routinely matched up against the best player on the opposing team and feasted by excelling in all offensive phases.

The fact that Pettit was an absolute workhorse made him an even more overwhelming force as he out-hustled the stars and non-stars around him.

Pettit’s biggest claim to fame is leading the St. Louis Hawks to the 1958 NBA championship. Pettit and the Hawks became the only team to defeat Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Kristaps Porzingis plays with similar vigor and versatility. Porzingis has an obvious height advantage over the 6’9″ Pettit, which makes this comparison all the more intriguing.

Arvydas Sabonis

Years Played (NBA): 1995 to 2001, 2002-03
Position: Center
Career Averages: 24.2 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.6 ORPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG
Career Statistics: 5,629 points, 3,436 rebounds, 734 offensive rebounds, 964 assists, 494 blocks, 370 steals

There’s a compelling case to be made that Arvydas Sabonis is the greatest European big man of all-time. He only played seven seasons in the NBA, but before he made the jump, he was regarded as the best player not in the Association.

A 7’3″ big man who could play from the post, was a brilliant passer, and could shoot the 3-ball with consistency, Sabonis was everything that Kristaps Porzingis is attempting to become.

Sabonis was heavier than Porzingis, but he ranks amongst the most skilled big men who have ever played the game. His passing ability from the post was unparalleled and his range as a shooter made him an all-time force of nature.

Sabonis was also an intimidating defensive player at his peak, using his size and length to overwhelm the opposition.

Porzingis doesn’t have the same body as Sabonis, but the height and basic skill set are almost identical. Sabonis mastered his craft, which is the process that Porzingis is currently attempting to complete.

If Porzingis can become as polished as Sabonis, his game could lead to unprecedented results in the modern NBA era.

Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Rasheed Wallace waves to the crowd during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Rasheed Wallace

Years Played: 1995 to 2010, 2012-13
Position: Power Forward
Career Averages: 32.7 MPG, 14.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.4 ORPG, 1.8 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 3PM
Career Statistics: 16,006 points, 7,404 rebounds, 1,578 offensive rebounds, 1,994 assists, 1,460 blocks, 1,090 steals, 1,086 3-point field goals
Accolades: NBA Champion, 4x All-Star

Though he’s often remembered for his awe-inspiring accumulation of technical fouls, Rasheed Wallace is one of the most well-rounded big men in NBA history. He could shoot the 3-ball, defend multiple positions, run the floor, and score and facilitate from the post.

If Kristaps Porzingis doesn’t become a Hall of Famer like the previous four players on this list, then the New York Knicks would still have to be thrilled to have another Rasheed Wallace.

Wallace was the missing piece for the 2004 NBA champion Detroit Pistons. He was a force of nature for the Portland Trail Blazers—a team he helped make a perennial contender. He could do it all offensively and provided rugged defense.

From 2000 to 2008—before players of his cut were properly appreciated—Wallace posted cumulative averages of 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 offensive boards, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.0 steal, and 1.2 3-point field goals made per game.

Porzingis has the upside to be a better player than Wallace, but this is a safe comparison. If it comes to fruition, then the Knicks would have a championship-caliber building block and a dynamic star to go into the future with.

The personalities may not compare, but in terms of pure ability, Porzingis and Wallace are already quite similar. That’s as promising a sign as one can ask for.

If Kristaps Porzingis can reach the level of greatness achieved by any of these five players, he’d go down as one of the greatest players in New York Knicks history.