KRISTAPS IS ANGRY
Porzingis blows off season-ending meeting
Phil Jackson has bigger problems than Carmelo Anthony. In fact, it’s a 7-foot3 problem.
A distraught Kristaps Porzingis refused to meet with Phil Jackson and Steve Mills on Friday, according to a source. Essentially, Porzingis went AWOL because he is frustrated with the direction of the franchise.
ESPN first reported that Porzingis, the second-year forward, skipped out on his meeting.
According to a person close to Porzingis “he just thinks enough is enough already. He’s very frustrated.”
The Knicks, for their part, are upset with Porzingis, according to a source, because they had no idea he was blowing them off and they couldn’t find the Latvian.
Earlier in the day, Jackson, continuing his strange approach of alienating his team’s stars, said Porzingis is too green to carry the Knicks.
“No, I don’t (think he’s ready). He’s 21 years old. That’s a big load for anybody to take on,” Jackson said. “But he’s shown that he’s competitive. He’s shown that he’s got a sense of desire to win, etcetera. So we’re really pleased with how he’s developed. I think he had some concern this year about physicality, not being able to stand up to all the games physically with his Achilles tendon, back, etcetera.”
Porzingis started his sophomore campaign strong while looking like a potential All-Star, but the production dipped beginning in January. It was the second straight season Porzingis fell off in the second half of the season.
Following a loss to the Nets in March, the forward detailed his frustration with the confusion at all levels of the organization. Apparently he still feels that way.
“From top to bottom, everybody,” Porzingis said. “It’s hard to play like that.”
Jackson said Friday that he’ll listen to trade offers for all his players, including Porzingis, because, “Everything has to be possible.”
And in an effort to mold Porzingis into a post player better fit for the triangle, Jackson said he wants fewer 3-pointers.
The embattled team president even called Porzingis’ treys, “A cheap way to score.” Porzingis averaged 4.8 3-point attempts per game this season, up considerably from his rookie campaign.
“He had a game he didn’t take a three, which I told him that was important,” the team president said. “If it’s not there you don’t have to take a three. That’s sometimes just a cheap way to score points or you get anxious to score points. He had a shorter delivery on his shot. He learned some post-up things that were good.”
DERRICK’S DESIRE: Derrick Rose and the Knicks are open to a reunion in free agency, according to Jackson.
“He expressed that he wants to be back,” Jackson said. “But he also took the time out to say he really he enjoyed playing here even with the losses, which of course surprises us because he’s been on some very successful teams but he wants to redeem himself as a player. Which I like that attitude. I like how Derrick represents as himself. He’s very direct about taking on a big challenge.”
Still, Jackson said he doesn’t view Rose as a natural point guard and may address that position in the draft.