National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Joakim Noah Talks Scary Upside Of Kristaps Porzingis

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

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Joakim Noah found the perfect word to describe the upside of New York Knicks phenom and teammate Kristaps Porzingis: scary.

The New York Knicks have committed to the belief that a dominant interior can still flourish in the modern NBA. The success of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and the Memphis Grizzlies certainly lends credence to that belief.

With an improved perimeter and a hungry franchise player, the burden of stability rests squarely on the shoulders of power forward Kristaps Porzingis and center Joakim Noah.

Noah is a proven commodity who has earned his reputation as one of the best defensive players of his era. Porzingis is a star on the rise, but he only has one season of NBA experience under his belt.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Noah found an appropriate adjective for Porzingis’ upside: scary.

“With Kristaps, sky’s the limit,’’ Noah said. “He’s as skilled as it gets. He’s still getting so much better. He’s doing everything he can to be great. He’s only 20 years old. It’s scary.’’

There’s no precedent for what Porzingis is capable of achieving.

Porzingis is a 7’3″ and 238-pound power forward with a near 7’4″ wingspan and a 37.5″ max vertical leap. He’s coordinated, agile, and explosive around the rim—a combination of physical gifts that few, if any NBA players his size have possessed before.

Porzingis is also one of the more skilled players at his position, regardless of age.

Porzingis finished the 2015-16 season with 1,028 points, 526 rebounds, 134 blocks, and 81 3-point field goals made in 72 games. In turn, he became 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 only other players to reach those marks in 2015-16 were 2016 All-NBA Second Team honoree Draymond Green and 2016 All-Star Al Horford.

In 2016-17, Porzingis will have the benefit of sharing the interior with a decorated veteran in Noah. That’s no slight on Robin Lopez, who is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, but Noah is a former Defensive Player of the Year.

Between Carmelo Anthony, Noah, and Porzingis, the Knicks project to have one of the best frontcourts in the NBA.

The 2016-17 NBA season is shaping up to be a special one for the New York Knicks.