SITTING PRETTY
Knicks associate head coach Kurt Rambis, placed in charge of Kristaps Porzingis’ development, sees a doeverythingonoffense big man, a cross between Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol.
However, in a rare interview, Rambis also made the argument the skinny, 20yearold could be better served coming off the bench as a rookie. The Knicks open the preseason schedule Wednesday at the Garden against Brazil’s Bauru club, and the faithful hope Porzingis starts alongside center Robin Lopez and Carmelo Anthony. No decision has been made, but sources indicate Phil Jackson hopes it happens, even if the team president envisions Porzingis playing no more than 20 or so minutes per game.
Rambis, normally barred from talking to media, riffed Monday at the Knicks’ Tarrytown facility with coach Derek Fisher absent because of a personal issue.
“Sometimes it’s better to bring guys off the bench,’’ Rambis said. “I’m not saying that’s what we decided on. [But] to get a feel for the game, to watch a little bit as games go on. Sometimes the matchups are a little better on the second unit. We haven’t really discussed who the starters are. With our team, the amount of talent we have, that might change from game to game, too.’’
Rambis, the former lunchpail Lakers power forward, said he was thrilled Porzingis ignited a fast break during Monday’s scrimmage and raved about how natural a 3point shooter the fourthoverall pick is.
“When he was bringing the ball up in a fastbreak situation, for a 73 guy, that’s tremendous,’’ said Rambis, a former assistant on Jackson’s Lakers staff. “He’ll be able to play with his back to the basket, facing the basket, handle the ball. We like his defense, too. Not too many players have his mobility and length.‘’
Perhaps the most successful European big men in recent times are Gasol, whom Rambis coached, and Nowitzki.
“He might be a combination of both of them,’’ Rambis said. ‘He can do so many things. You guys haven’t seen it yet. And some of it won’t come out for three, four, five years either. He’s got to grow up, mature, develop, get stronger and [get] used to the NBA game. He already understands basketball and knows what to do, and he’s an unselfish player. He makes really good decisions. It wasn’t like he was a blank slate coming here.’’
Aside from his intensive work ethic, Porzingis also has an unprecedented gift.
“He’s got 3point range — like effortless 3point range, too,’’ Rambis said. “It’s not even hard for him to shoot for distance.’’
That said, Rambis believes Porzingis has his work cut out for him with opponents loading up on him.
“His ability to shoot the basketball is going to be very dangerous,’’ Rambis said. “Teams are going to very wary of him, and his reputation as a shooter will go around the league quickly. He’s going to have to be able to do a good job of reading defenses. That’s the No. 1 thing he has to do, is make the correct decision reading defenses, whether it’s back to the basket or facing it. … He’s got to get a feel as a rookie for all the different talent he’s playing against. Whether starting or off the bench, it will be someone he’s never
played against before.’’
Rambis said he sees much more than a 3point specialist.
“We don’t want guys to settle into that,’’ Rambis said. “It’s going to be part of his game we’ll be able to take advantage of, but we don’t want him to just stand out there because he’s a good rebounder and could push the ball up the floor. We want him to do all those things, and he’s smart enough he’ll be able to adjust game to game. One game he might be playing down low most of the game, other games playing outside a lot.”
The summer league re views are ancient history. The preseason slate will give a greater clue about how much to expect from the rookie. Rambis said he thinks 20 minutes or so of playing time will prevent fatigue.
“He’s now getting a taste against real NBA ballplayers,’’ he said. “For all rookies, it’s a huge transition — whether Europe or college guys. They are much bigger, stronger, longer, quicker. In his case, the physical nature of the game is something he has to adjust to. He’s done a great job. We see a lot of versatility in him.’’