Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2017-2018: 10 players that will make a leap this season

By Jerry Christodoulatos

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 08: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks works against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 08: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks works against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Kristaps Porzingis
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 27, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.  Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Kristaps Porzingis

All hail the Porzingod! With Hoodie Melo on his way to Oklahoma City, the Knicks have turned over the reins of the franchise to Kristaps. What an offseason! After almost getting traded in the dying days of the Phil Jackson administration, Porzingis is now the leader of a wonky Knicks squad. With Porzingis becoming the focal point of this team, his production should increase significantly in his third NBA season.

New York looks like it will rely on one of the league’s worst guard rotations yet again this year. That’s concerning to say the least, but at least the triangle offense is dead and buried. We should see a healthy dose of Porzingis pick and pops and pick and rolls this season. That will be a refreshing change for a team that hasn’t run enough of those plays over the past two seasons. The Zinger has the skill to be a deadly in those sets. The more the Knicks emphasize those actions within their offense the better.

To become an elite offensive player, Porzingis must develop the ability to consistently create his own shot. That’s a skill that almost all the best players in the league possess. KP is behind fellow bigs like Karl-Anthony Towns and Nikola Jokic in this respect. As the centerpiece of New York’s offense though, he’ll be able to work on that facet of his game.

Next: 25-under-25 -- The best young players in the NBA

Another thing to watch for is how often the Knicks play him at center this season. Porzingis is an impossible matchup at the five spot for most of the league’s centers. He can draw them out of the paint and open up the floor for his teammates. New York has a glut of centers on its roster though. Willy Hernangomez, Enes Kanter, Joakim Noah, Kyle O’Quinn and Porzingis will all see minutes at center. If the Knicks play KP more at center they could raise their offensive ceiling substantially (knowing the Knicks they probably won’t though). In any case, Porzingis is going to take on huge responsibility this year. He has all the potential to make major strides this season.