NBA Season Preview 2021-22: 5 players with the most to prove this season

Kristaps Porzingis was once referred to as the unicorn for his unique skillset at his imposing size. Before lanky, 7-feet tall basketball players with handles and an outside game became the norm at the high school level, Porzingis was a one-of-one in the NBA.

He is now a part of the group that is often brung up when discussing the little to no help that superstar Luka Doncic has on the Dallas Mavericks. With Doncic the number one option on the team, Porzingis is supposed to be his running mate as the two lead Dallas on playoff runs.

Things have not played out that smoothly during their time together. Instead, their time has been marred by injuries, two first-round exits to the Los Angeles Clippers and constant reports that there is tension between the two.

In the last year’s series lost, Porzingis averaged 13.1 points while Doncic averaged 35.7 over seven games. That is a tremendous drop-off for the supposed second star of the team.

If Porzingis wants to stay in Dallas, he is going to have to find a way to make it work. This year he must prove that he can create better chemistry with Doncic while becoming a more reliable and productive player.