Fansided

Midseason Grades for Each NBA Team

By Cody Williams

Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after fouling out against the Boston Celtics during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 120-114. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after fouling out against the Boston Celtics during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 120-114. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

27. . 22-22. 9th East. New York Knicks. B-. player

Considering that the New York Knicks finished last season with the worst record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference and that they drafted a lanky Latvian big man with the No. 4-overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, it’s safe to say that there wasn’t much to be expected from the Knicks in their second season under Derek Fisher. Of course, no one could have predicted that said Latvian rookie in Kristaps Porzingis would be the savior of New York basketball and one of the best stories of the first half of the season.

The rise to prominence for Porzingis has been astounding and 100 percent enjoyable for the entire time. Not only is the narrative around it great considering that many people (myself included) labeled him a bust before he’d ever played an NBA game, but it’s also been tremendous beneficial to the Knicks as whole. The rookie, with the help of strong play from a now healthy Carmelo Anthony, has the Knicks just 2.5 games out of the No. 8 seed at the midway point.

The Knicks have improved substantially in comparison to last season and, as Porzingis continues to develop, are only going to improve further as the season goes on. They’ve blown away expectations so far this year and have been incredibly fun to watch in the process.

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