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NBA Draft 2015: 5 Players Who Will Be Busts

By Cody Williams

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kristaps Porzingis is escorted onto the stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kristaps Porzingis is escorted onto the stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number four overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Kristaps Porzingis – New York Knicks

There was a great deal of hype put around Kristaps Porzingis coming into the NBA, with top-end comparisons being made to guys like Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Bosh. However, as the New York Knicks made him the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the fans who reacted negatively in the arena at the draft may have had the right idea about what Porzingis is destined to be.

At just 19 years old and at his size, Porzingis’ offensive game is exceptional. He can score in a variety of ways from anywhere on the floor, including stepping out on the perimeter and putting the ball through the net. Moreover, his size allows him to get off a mechanically sound and smooth jumper from basically wherever he desires.

Scouts have also touted his potential on the defensive end coming into the draft. He’s big and mobile with the length and quickness to defend multiple positions and cover a great deal of ground on the floor. His ability to defend the pick-and-roll is particularly notable, as he can bother shots on the hedge, but also have the agility to get back and not leave his man with an open lane.

However, all of these positives don’t erase some glaring negatives regarding him. With his youth, much of Porzingis’ value is based on potential. That’s most clearly evidenced by his slim frame. Not only does this limit his ability in the post on both ends of the floor, it went as far as to cause him to shy away from the interior in Europe. His length was essentially used only to help him get his jumper off rather than to hit the glass or bother shots on the interior.

His frame could fill out and everything could go right for Porzingis. If that’s the case, then I’ll unabashedly admit how wrong I was. However, the newest member of the Knicks consistently brings up shades of Andrea Bargnani in my mind. That’s not because they’re both international players, but rather because they were drafted high because of their size, offensive prowess at their size, and their potential. The same concerns with Bargnani somewhat exist with Porzingis. Porzingis is better defensively, but that defensive potential won’t matter if he can’t bulk up and battle on the interior.

Porzingis could go on to have a long career in the NBA, much like Bargnani had. However, a player comparable to Bargnani isn’t who the Knicks need or the type of player worth spending the fourth overall pick in this draft on. Porzingis could be awful or could be a slightly below-average player in the league and, if things play out in either of those fashions, he’ll go down as a bust. Considering how likely those two outcomes seem, he’s makes the cut for this list.

Next: 10 Biggest NBA Draft Mistakes of All-Time

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