Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis is taking the next step in his evolution as a budding star by learning what it’s like to play without Carmelo Anthony, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. With Anthony missing the last two games, Porzingis has been the focus of the defense’s attention, Bondy adds. While Porzingis conceded it has been challenging to play as the focal point of the offense, he understands he will benefit from the experience, Bondy notes.
“I have to learn from Carmelo, the way he does it,” Porzingis said. “He always gets the ball whenever we need him to get the ball and those are the things I need to learn.”
Here’s more from around the Atlantic Division:
- The Sixers should not trade rookie center Jahlil Okafor because he possesses a superior offensive skill-set that will likely get even better, John Smallwood of The Philadelphia Daily News opines. Smallwood, instead, suggests the Sixers move third-year center Nerlens Noel. While Okafor’s defense needs improvement, his offensive output is so rare for a young center that the Sixers would be wise to build around him, Smallwood surmises.
- The Raptors enjoyed a strong first half despite being without center Jonas Valanciunas half the time and with prized free agent acquisition DeMarre Carroll missing time after recovering from knee surgery, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes.
- Robert Covington has rewarded Sixers coach Brett Brown‘s patience with him by showing improvements in his shot, rebounding and defense, Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News relays.
I would keep Noel and trade Okafor. Okafor has more value and Noel could easily improve his offensive game while being good defensively.
It’s a lot easier to learn to play defense (it’s all about rotations) than it is to develop an offensive game…there’s a reason bigs are shying away from the post and becoming stretch bigs & that is because a post game is hard to develop…okafor has a mature game at 20 years old, developed a reliable midrange jumper in only 6 months (something analysts said he couldn’t do at all at Duke), and improved his rebounding numbers each month…Okafor has a VERY high ceiling (boogie cousins) and Noel has an average ceiling (Tyson chandler but can’t catch)…now which would you rather have?
Going to have to disagree with you on that one. It’s a lot harder to learn to play defense than it is to learn offense. I’ve played basketball before, my goal was to always get better at defense, it barely did, but I got better at stretching the floor and learned post moves. He’s not a rim protector, is slow, and has maturity problems.
Born with offense, can improve on defense. Keep Okafor, ditch Noel. Okafor’s issue is that he just hasn’t cared about defense.
Okafor played great for 3 quarters against the Knicks, then didn’t play at all in the 4th qtr or the 2 overtimes. I think the coach should be the one traded.
Knicks need to get a younger pg n a nice SG to come off the bench