NBA Draft: Who is Kristaps Porzingis
The Good
Kristaps Porzingis is getting the positive draft buzz, and it is incredibly well deserved.
Guys with his kind of talent and ability are so rare. It is why everyone gets so excited when they do come around — even if the dream of it working out is just that.
The NBA is so much a game about versatility and athleticism. Many of those players that failed lacked something that did not translate to the NBA game. They had one defined skill and that skill did not reach the NBA.
Porzingis has several NBA-quality skills, there does not seem to be that. He seems to have versatility and the ability to go inside-out, a dual dimension many other big men do not have. It is the holy grail in so many ways.
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That is what makes Porzingis all the more enticing.
When you watch video of him, the skills become apparent. His jumper is fluid with the high release you expect from a 7-footer who can shoot jumpers. He has athleticism and a desire to stuff the ball. There does not appear to be much fear in him, which goes against the stereotype of European big men.
In other words, Porzingis has the shooting ability to match his desire to get into the post. He has the post game to play down low, if not the strength (more on that in a moment). He is pretty fluid as an offensive player in either position when given the chance.
His athleticism also means he can run the floor well. And he can finish.
It just feels like this guy is different in some way. Maybe that is a tired storyline when it comes to European big men. The way this guy plays just seems to be different than the usual mold.
That is the reason to get excited.
Next: The Bad