Kristaps Porzingis was once beloved by Knicks fans who saw him as their best hope of escaping years of dysfunction, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. But years later, after a devastating injury and a messy breakup, Porzingis is a member of the Celtics and stands in their team’s way of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
When he was drafted with the fourth pick in 2015, Porzingis was hailed as a “unicorn” because of his unique combination of size and outside shooting touch. He was an immediate fan favorite in New York, but his efforts to turn the Knicks into contenders were sunk by general mismanagement and what Bondy calls “petty infighting” involving the front office and coaching staff.
Bondy states that former team executives Phil Jackson and Steve Mills never viewed Porzingis as a future star and unsuccessfully tried to trade him after his second season. He suffered a torn ACL midway through the following season and then missed all of 2018/19. Before he was fully healed, he was traded to Dallas, and Knicks management cast him as a villain on the way out.
“The whole process was just a mess,” Porzingis said. “I didn’t like the way it ended. That wasn’t how I wanted it to end, if it did end. I tried to stay myself the whole time. Not do anything. Not say anything. If I did say anything, it would’ve been right after I was traded. Now it’s too late.”
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Knicks players are acknowledging that Boston will present a tougher challenge than they faced in the first round, per Peter Botte of The New York Post. New York went 0-4 against the Celtics this season, dropping the first three games by 63 total points before losing in overtime in April. “Obviously, (we have to) play better than we did (against them) throughout the regular season,” Jalen Brunson said. “Be better, ready to do it from the jump, knowing it’s going to be a game of runs, knowing that they’re capable of doing a lot of great things. I feel like we played better in that (fourth) game. We adjusted from the first three times we played them, obviously still not getting it done, but definitely played better and competed better than the first three games. So that’s something we can look at and build off of.”
- The Knicks never lost faith in Mikal Bridges no matter how bad things got this season, and he rewarded them in the close-out game against Detroit, notes Barbara Barker of Newsday. Bridges scored 25 points in Game 6 and tied the contest on a put-back slam in the final minute. After Saturday’s practice, coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters that Bridges has done an admirable job in dealing with a heavy amount of pressure after the Knicks sent five first-round picks to Brooklyn to acquire him. “I think for anybody who gets traded or in free agency or whatever it might be there’s an adjustment period that you have to go through and it takes some time,” Thibodeau said. “I think he’s very confident in his abilities.”
- Steve Popper of Newsday lists five keys for the Knicks in the series, including the need for Bridges and OG Anunoby to control Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and a more consistent performance from Karl-Anthony Towns.
When was KP loved by the knicks? Boo’d on draft night to the unicorn making an all star appearance to shipped out of town. Just remember they didn’t want you and we went out of our way to get you.
Knick fans made KP ….. learn his story lol.
Lol what? I’m pretty sure NY and Dallas didn’t want this guy. He ends up on a terrible wizards team and we’re still making him. With a bit of luck KP might win a 2nd championship. @ which point is he remembered as a knick or Celtic? 2 yrs you’ve been saying NY are a bad match up for Boston, now is your teams chance to cash those cheques coming from your mouth.
KP is a non story for me. And you know nothing about me. You think by lying you got sone kind of ammo. Get it right non. I have Celtics as team to beat all year. What I have said. Is we matchup better with Cavs. But that hasn’t mattered all year. Since we have always known it’s Celtics first. Stick to your team clown. I’m the wrong guy to piss off.
@Nrg – Don’t speak out of your butt. You have no idea about KP6’s NBA journey before he got to BOS. KP6, prior to his injury, had a 2.5 year life here as NYC’s most popular basketball player. That’s a status unlike any that’s available anywhere else in the world. All the issues he had in NY were with the then FO’s, and one imbecile who pretended to be a HC. Never with Knick nation, even after the propaganda spewed by the FO against him after his departure.
Think he’ll take some chips over a 2.5 yr run like no other in NY, a status even like no other, lol. Does this status walk with Larry O’Brien? Argh, I’m not American, I keep upto date with ball in Europe thank you. Pretty sure I new who Kristaps was before getting to Boston man. Does Linsanity share the same 15 minutes of fame. I do like Frank Sinatra but there’s a big world outside of NY. you can make it in other places.
Bro, stick to what you know. It’s clear you’re not really knowledgeable about the KP situation in NYC. NYK fans embraced KP as soon as he showed his talent. A bad injury and the incompetent NYK FO at the time screwed everything up. Knicks are in a better place and fans have moved on
Linsanity? Frank Sinatra? Huh? Cmon dude you just sound drunk at this point
People like living in many different places, and, if talented enough, can achieve their life goals in most of them. At this stage of my life, I often wonder why I still live in NYC full time. My statement is about the game of basketball. Understanding this sport requires an understanding of its history, including the unique relationship between the game and NYC.
I have no idea what KP6 values in life, and in what order, nor do you. Nor do I care. Most NBA players value winning a championship. Most people (he’s that too) value the periods and places in their life in where they came of age, and, for KP6, that happened in NYC. Not all pretty by the way, it usually isn’t at that age. The point was (contrary to what you said in your original post) NYC loved KP6, in the highest way this city can (it’s not a place with a soft hand). Whether he feels the same wasn’t part of the point. I suspect he does, or over time will, but its a different issue.
KP did it to himself in NY. His head got to big. And confused adulation with acceptance. NY sprts fans are about Team success. KP learned from Melo to look out for himself. Real fans don’t hate him. Just don’t want him here. KP is in a good place. It looks like his time is coming there too. Not a hater lol. Ee are about team cause we believe teams win not players. Like I said you really should look up his story. He did it to himself.
Some just don’t know how to make a point lol. Always flame first. Not even having all the facts.
KP is in a good place. But we know who he is .
Boston in six, maybe five
5
Came here to say that Boston should take it in 5 or 6 as Hubcap mentioned above but the thing that sticks out to me is the Knicks paid 5 first round picks for Bridges 😳😳😳
Like it’s a very Knicks thing to do trading 3 firsts maybe but JFC who did they think they were getting Lebron in his prime? RG III? (DC joke there)
We’ve all seen Bridges play in his prime and he was really good but damn, who would even remotely think he’s worth five first round picks other than someone in charge of the Knick talent scouting? How does this team continuously shoot itself in the foot over and over and over and over and over? And their fans are so goddamn delusional that they’ve found their savior constantly. This is one of the most pathetic teams in all sports even if they’re competitive right now. Because they have no shot of actually winning a title maybe ever. Love ya Spike but you’re as delusional as the rest of them.
It was a bad trade but not nearly as bad as you’re making it to be. Their pick this season? Mid 20’s. The Bucks pick this season? Early 20’s. The Knicks pick in ’27? Mid 20’s. The way off future picks? Who knows? Bogie and Shake? Who cares?
I don’t think this a championship squad unless it’s through injury luck but they’re going to be very good for a little while. Only one team each season wins it all but the Knicks haven’t been this good in 30 years, I think the fans and ownership will be content with being very good for a while.
Point taken, but at this point it’s less about what was given up and more about losing a lot of future ammo to facilitate deals. And considering that trade has not upgraded the team, that’s a real problem.
Their fate is hardly sealed, but the front office cannot afford any additional missteps.
The point is they could’ve traded those picks for a better player… and for all we know the last couple picks could end up as lottery picks
Could’ve would’ve bla bla. With much of the core in its prime, the time to make a move with those picks was when it was. You don’t sit around for multiple years hoping a better star type player becomes available. How many teams tank/rebuild, stash picks and assets, and then end up with nothing great in the end, because the right trade opportunity didn’t present itself or because the available player wanted another team? You make the best move possible to upgrade your core when the prime window starts to open.
I agree, the Bridges trade looks like an overpay now. But who cares, late round picks aren’t all that. Growth from the first full season and a first full offseason with the core NYK has now, will hopefully bring the roster and chance to contend to an even higher place. As a long-suffering Knicks fan, trust me, it’s just nice to be relevant and playing meaningful games again, with a legit star PG, a position we Knicks fans were desperate to see filled for only the past 2-3 decades or so.
KP playing in that system. Gives him good looks. So he can use his shooting as a big weapon. Also with his size he can help defend. Not being counted on to be a top guy. Lets him get free to do the things he does. I said it from day one. Boston was a perfect place for him. OK so what can we do. First don’t let him get his shot off. You have to make it difficult. You take away that outside shot. Then he becomes easy to defend. Knicks team defense is what will make this a series. Unfortunately our bench is not as deep as Bostons. This is the series where Knicks needed TJ. Now its pray McBride, Payne, Shamet, Achiuwa, Mitch can give us points. Knicks will need Mitch and Achiuwa for defense this series.
Its The only way I see a series. Boston healthy is a strong favorite. Knicks show up. Then I can see it going 7. Showing up means Bridges, Tiwns every gm. The bench and Mitch D. Thibs going ten deep. Considering how the last game went down. When Celtics faced a full Knicks team for first time. I give Knicks a chance. Its one game at time for Knicks.
I would like to see them move the ball more, too. That and transition defense. :)
100 % agree. They had much more ball movement early in season. Too much iso Brunson.
Celtics in 5
Knicks have a ton of talent so I can’t see how many are saying Celtics in 5 or 6.
Look at the talent. Knicks have Jalen Brunson, the best closer in the game, and somehow traded for great talents Towns, Bridges & Anunoby. Add in incredible energetic Hart and sharpshooters McBride, Payne & Shamet and I think this will be an incredible series.
Celtics, because of their win last year, a very slight favorite.
lol they barely beat the pistons cuh
Only time Knicks had a full squad. Was the last gm against Celts. It went to OT. Knicks are 100% now. Celtics are deeper and defending champs. Love to see Knicks win. I just want it to go 7. Anything can happen in a gm 7. Imo Celtics and Cavs are best teams. Better than OKC.
The best closer in the game went 4-14 in the 4th quarter of game 7 against the Pistons. Yeah he hit the game winner but they were up by 11 before he decided to all hero ball.
I heard a rumor brunson spent the weekend taking acting lessons with stunt coordinators. He is perfecting how to flop as efficiently & discreetly as possible
Your act is tired, troll. Reeks of bitterness and/or jealousy more every time. Keep doing what you need to deal though.
Jealous of what? Nyk havent advanced past 2nd rd in 25 yrs. Bitter lol. They are the last tm to make anyone bitter bc they accomplished nothing in a Q century .They r trash, plain & simple. This tm brings shame to the nba. Nothing but floppers & foul baiters. 4 gm sweep incoming. My prediction is brunson will punk out in the 2nd half of the last gm with an injury & then say “but i was hurt thats why we lost”
Everyone flops but knicks rly take it to the next level & its disgusting so either you’re totally ignorant to it or you’re aware & dont care. Either way you should stfu
Only flop is your knowledge. Why do you care what Knicks do. Is it that boring for you, life.
Ordinarily people live and learn. You just live.
KP wanted no part of the Sixers, and yet if they had drafted him I think he’d actually still be a Sixer…. But his current situation is 1000% better in Boston.
You sure have a lot of hate and words for a non threatening team that hasn’t done anything in so long. So if it’s not jealousy, clearly it’s bitterness, or ignorant hate of all things NYC. The point, the Knicks are living in your head for whatever reason and you feel the need to lash out somewhere. Do you sonny. Keep denying that all the way to your next childishly predictable insult that brings nothing of value to any conversation regarding basketball or the Knicks
IIts hard for a non like you to understand. What Comes easy to me. It’s natural instinct. Hardly have to think clown. What takes a paragraph for you. I can do days of posts in that time. And most of it is already in my head.
“ The human brain is one of the most complex objects in the universe. Is it any wonder that you never learned to use yours …….
For Knicks its one game at a time. So I would love to see them get gm 1. Both teams are rested. So it should be fun …….
Knicks vs Celtics ……. player experience with team.
New York Knickerbockers ….
Jalen Brunson — 3 yrs, 210 total ganes
Josh Gart — 3 yrs, 183 total games
OG —- 2 yrs, 97 total games
Mikal Bridges — 1 yr, 82 total games
KAT — 1 yr, 72 total games
Knicks are basically a new team. Haters just don’t get that. Knicks are not a finished product.
Boston Celtics ….
Jason Tatum — 8 yrs, 585 total games
Jalen Brown — 9 yrs, 603 total games
Derrick White — 4 yrs, 257 total games
Jrue Holiday — 2 yrs, 131 total games
KP —- 2 yrs, 99 totally games
Celtics bench has been wuth team longer too. Only McBride and Mitch have more than 1 yr with Knicjs.
Horford 7 yrs, Hauser 4 yrs, Prichard 5 yrs,
Kornet 5 yrs, Queta 2 yrs ……
The experience is not even close. Between these two teams. Knicks are still finding their team. That’s why Celtics are big favorites. And rightfully so ….