The individual numbers were ugly. Maybe not as ugly as Donald Trump’s hair, but still unappealing. So Kristaps Porzingis went to work.
“I’ve been working a lot on my shot and just shooting a lot really, repetition,” the Knicks’ 7-foot-3 rookie said. “Just really, really, really focusing on each game individually and trying to finish the season the right way.”
For nine games, Porzingis’ shooting percentage was even worse than the Knicks’ winning percentage. He was slumping, shooting 33.3 percent (39-of-117). His rebounds were down. His 3-point shot, a weapon that truly differentiated him, was just 25.9 percent (7-of-27). Even worse, he became predictable, patrolling the outside too much.
Interim coach Kurt Rambis suggested — no, demanded — more diversity in Porzingis’ game. and he got it. In back-to-back wins over the Bulls, Porzingis posted consecutive double-doubles.
Porzingis scored a personal-best 29 points Wednesday and came back with 19 Thursday. In each game, he had 10 rebounds. In the two games, he shot 18-of-31 (58.1 percent) including 5-of-11 (45.5 percent) on 3-pointers.
Stuff that in your rookie wall crevice.
“He’s being more conscious of when he can be outside and when he can be inside, and he’s one of those rare players that’s going to be all over the floor,” Rambis said. “But he’s got to continue to do a good job of reading where he needs to be so that he can make himself available.”
A lot went into Porzingis’ slump. He was sick for a bit, sat out on game. His legs grew weary during his first NBA season. Teams realized if you couldn’t stop him, you could try to beat him with physical play.
“That’s something I have to get adjusted to, playing against defenses that are really aggressive,” Porzingis said. “That’s what they’re trying to do now. Just being real physical, get into my body and be lower than me. I’ve got to be lower than them to try to attack at that point when they get really close. It’s a learning experience for me. I struggled a few games and I’ve been able to attack against really aggressive defenses.
“Just try to get that space. I’ve been working on that. Just face up, jabbing a little bit, and getting that space where I can be dangerous, shooting or driving,” Porzingis said. “That’s what I’ve been working on with the coaches and I still have to keep working on that so I’m really dangerous in those situations.”