Storyline: It’s not uncommon for rookies to make a splash, then underperform for the rest of their careers. Kristaps Porziņģis needs to avoid that fate. He has the ability to become one of NBA’s biggest names. Written by Anna-Marie Hayward, Columbia, SC
If you aren’t familiar with the name, Kristaps Porziņģis, you should. He’s the New York Knicks’ center, #6. And he’s becoming an NBA star.
Courtesy: kngn.com
Over his first 18 games Porziņģis ranked 3rd among all NBA rookies in scoring at 13.7 points a game. He was the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month from October-January. And his jersey is the fourth best-selling uniform in the League, behind headliners Curry, James, and Bryant.
The Latvian-born was selected by New York as the 4th overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft. The 20-year-old made his debut in the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 16 points and getting five rebounds. A month later, Porziņģis had 24 points, 14 rebounds, 7 blocks in a 107–102 win over the Houston Rockets. Just a few weeks after that he had a game-high 28 points in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Porziņģis has star potential.
Courtesy: nba.com
The seven-foot-three is at his best at the rim–protecting the goal, blocking shots. Praised for his athleticism, Porziņģis has been compared to Pau Gasol. As one GM put it: “Over the course of the 2015–16 season, he (Porziņģis) demonstrated his dominant offensive rebounding ability and showed signs of being a proficient scorer.”
Kristaps is on fire. But will that continue?
Look through NBA history and you’ll find cases of rookie NBA stars who started off great, but then failed to follow through. Here are five examples.
Take the case of Anthony Bennett, power forward for the Toronto Raptors. Bennett, a college star who averaged over 28 points a game, was the Cleveland Cavaliers’ #1 pick in the ’13 NBA Draft. But Bennett didn’t deliver on his promise. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves the following year and, again, to the Raptors the year after that.
Courtesy: blacksportsonline.com
Sam Bowie is another example. The center was chosen No. 2 overall in the 1984 draft–just ahead of Michael Jordan. Bowie was never better than he was as a rookie for the Portland Trail Blazers. During his career he only converted 53.7 percent of his field goals and is considered one of the League’s historic “couldn’t miss-but did miss” players.
Damon Stoudamire reached his peak during his rookie season as well. As a rookie for the Toronto Raptors, Stoudamire hit just 39.5 percent of his three-pointers, 48.5 percent overall, and that was his peak performance as a pro.
Tyreke Evans isn’t the same player he was during a spectacular rookie season (’14-15) with the New Orleans Pelicans. He was one of only four players–with Jordan, James, and Oscar Robertson–to record 20-5-5 averages as a rookie. Evans hasn’t matched those numbers since.
Much like Porziņģis, power forward Alvan Adams was on fire during his rookie season. Not only did he receive Rookie of the Year honors, but he also made an appearance in the NBA Finals. While “The Oklahoma Kid” didn’t spiral downward, his numbers remained pretty constant during his 13-season career, never matching his highly successful rookie season.
Courtesy: mockdrafthq.com
For any sport it’s not uncommon for rookies to burn out. Once they’ve made it a number of players seem to settle down and lose focus. They work on improving established strengths instead of turning weaknesses into strengths. They take the summer offer rather than working hard to improve.
Porziņģis has a lot going for him. He needs to avoid making mistakes that many rookies have made before him. Alot is at stake: he has the ability to become one of the biggest names in the League.
Here’s hoping he will.
