Fansided

5 reasons the Knicks can still win the Eastern Conference

By Casey Pazzalia

Dec 7, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates the 118-112 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates the 118-112 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kristaps Porzingis

The second-year player from Latvia is a god-send for the new-look Knicks. After being booed at the 2015 NBA Draft by Knicks fans, Kristaps Porzingis looks like he was worth the high draft pick. In fact, Porzingis has the most upside of any Knicks draft-pick since Patrick Ewing.

With his long-frame and silky smooth shooting touch, Porzingis looks like Dirk Nowitzki 2.0. In his rookie season, the “Unicorn” averaged 14.3 points per game and over seven rebounds. The strong debut by Porzingis was the first-step in the franchise’s overhaul. Controversial GM Phil Jackson was the brains behind the selection, re-gaining confidence from a critical fan-base in the process.

Kristaps Porzingis 2016-17 campaign is off-the-charts so far. He is averaging 20.6 points per game and showing signs of being the team’s franchise player. Of all Knicks players with over 60 attemts, he trails only Courtney Lee in three point field goal percentage. This guy is over 7-feet tall, making him nearly impossible to guard that far away from the hoop.

Porzingis versatility has made him somewhat of a cult-hero around the league. Knicks fans are cheering now, but they sure wish they could take back those boos from draft night.

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