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NBA Rookie Rankings: Coming down the homestretch

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) greets Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) prior to the game at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
March 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kristaps Porzingis

Previous Rank: 2

Kristaps Porzingis jerseys are starting to be seen on random corners all over North America, and the Latvian rookie has proven to be one of the more popular foreign players to enter the NBA.

Porzinigis has perhaps been the most amazing on the defensive end, and his 2.7 blocks/steals per game only begin to tell the story of his impact. He is great playing weak side along the baselines and at this point he is basically a supercharged version of one-time All Star Andrei Kirilenko.

Porzingis is averaging 14.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, but he is shooting just 42.6 percent from the floor. Much like Towns, he has not slowed down much at all. In his past nine games he is averaging 14.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting an abysmal 37.5 percent from the field.

Even with the inefficiencies, at this point most are comfortable calling Porzingis another of the franchise players from this single draft.

Next: On the Blocks!