National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis Cracks SI Top 100

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

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Sports Illustrated recently released its list of the Top 100 NBA players. New York Knicks big man Kristaps Porzingis managed to make the cut.

One could easily surmise that Phil Jackson’s long-term vision for the New York Knicks is centered around Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis may or may not become a true franchise player, but he’s justified what many called a reach on draft night.

Though no one will give Jackson credit for selecting a player whom no one thought he should select, Porzingis is drawing rave reviews from around the NBA.

Porzingis turned the jeers into cheers during the 2015-16 season. He was booed on draft night and supported the rest of the way, as he seemed to pull something spectacular out on a nightly basis.

Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated ranked Porzingis as the No. 68 NBA player in the SI Top 100.

Porzingis had quite the rookie season.

Porzingis’ averages of 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks were all the highest by a Knicks rookie since Patrick Ewing in 1985-86. He also made 81 3-point field goals in 72 games.

For his efforts, Porzingis was unanimously selected to the 2016 All-Rookie First Team.

Porzingis’ biggest claim to fame was becoming the first rookie in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals. Draymond Green and Al Horford were the only other non-rookies to accumulate those numbers in 2015-16.

For perspective, Green was named to the All-NBA Second Team and Horford was an All-Star.

Truth be told, there’s never been anyone like Porzingis in the NBA. The closest comparison may be Arvydas Sabonis, who didn’t come to the Association until the twilight of his career.

No matter where you rank him, Porzingis has already earned his place as one of the most promising young players in NBA history.

The Knicks are lucky to have him.

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