Inside the Amway Center in Orlando, Kristaps Porzingis waltzed in with a smile from ear to ear. The Knicks big man looked refreshed after a long trip back to his native town in Latvia while sharing his excitement for the recent moves from the front office.
“Honestly, I can’t wait for the season to start,” Porzingis emphatically stated. “I was watching videos back in my room, just thinking about Summer League and I just can’t wait to get back on the court.”
Porzingis will have about four months to wait until the season opener but his return to the states will offer an opportunity to chat with new head coach Jeff Hornacek and begin offseason training in New York. The main objective in Latvia was to start the strength and conditioning program so the 20-year old can endure the rigorous 82-game season, especially battling centers and power forwards in the post. Additionally, Porzingis said his nagging shoulder injury from the end of last season is no longer an issue as he has returned to full strength.
“Last offseason we were just focusing on getting better, gain some muscle. At the beginning of the season I wasn’t feeling that well. I felt that I was heavy, so this time we really wanted to start with the legs, the lower body, core, and make sure I’m strong and can hold up more weight and build it from there,” Porzingis explained.
In addition to the work in the weight room, Porzingis is developing his all-around game for his sophomore season and beyond. He will look to improve all aspects after a season in which he showcased deep range, solid footwork on pick-and-rolls, and crafty moves in the post.
“I’ve been working a lot on my handles,” Porzingis revealed. “Really annoying just little drills with my brother Janis and it’s been really annoying but I’m trying to stay mentally focused and knowing that it really helps me and I can feel it day-by-day that I’m getting better. I’m feeling the ball more. Just shooting a lot. Shooting so much that it’s annoying. I’m just really getting tired of it but it’s good. It pushes me mentally to the point where I can’t shoot anymore and then we try to push through that.”
Porzingis will now have a new running mate at the point guard position. Derrick Rose was acquired last week in a trade that sent Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, and Robin Lopez to Chicago. Porzingis has exchanged text messages with Rose following the press conference and he plans on speaking with the former MVP soon. New York’s young rising star is excited at the possibilities Rose brings to the table.
“Knowing the level of player Derrick Rose is I’m sure he’s going to help us at the guard position and I love his game, how explosive he is, how quick he is, how he runs in transition. He is going to help us play faster and not just be static all the time. I think he is really going to help us win,” Porzingis remarked.
Hornacek has expressed his desire to increase the pace and push the ball more this upcoming season. Armed with a dynamic new point guard and a player like Porzingis, the Knicks head coach can utilize both players’ skills in the open floor. Porzingis believes a quicker tempo for New York is necessary to improve its offense from a season ago.
“I think we played a little too static,” Porzingis acknowledged. “That’s why it’s great that we have a guy like D. Rose, who can really push the ball and we have to keep up with him, we have to run the floor and it’s going to be a lot of easy buckets for me if I run the fast break and he’s pushing the ball he can throw an oop to me, so I’m really excited about that…that idea of play quicker and faster.”
In the midst of the Knicks Summer League schedule, the front office is meeting with free agents and attempting to fill the revamped roster. Carmelo Anthony has been active on the recruiting trail and spoke about the need for the team to compete during his prime. Porzingis agrees with Anthony’s mindset even though he is continuing to develop as a player.
“I’m young but we don’t have 10 years to win a championship, we have to win soon,” he stated. “So, that is my mindset as well and I know those guys want to win right away, they’ve been in the league a long time, so all I have to do is stay as mentally focused as a I can to help those guys win and that’s the number one goal. I’m not here to have five seasons of just trying to win.
Porzingis will remain in Orlando for the next week to participate in private workouts. He will then return to New York City where the franchise will announce the key acquisitions in free agency.