KP’s new role: leader
Fiz focuses on growth during slow return from knee injury
Aweek before the season starts and eight months since his ACL surgery, Kristaps Porzingis’ progress remains limited to a “slow drip” that’s frustrating the All-Star, according to Knicks coach David Fizdale.
In other words, Porzingis is still not sprinting and his recovery timetable has not been affected by the start of training camp. He has not ruled out sitting out the entire season.
“He’s feeling better every day, but it’s still that frustrating slow drip for him,” the coach said.
Because Porzingis can’t participate on the court, Fizdale said he is concentrating on grooming the Latvian into a leader. Still just 23 years old, Porzingis represents not only the best player on the roster when healthy, but also the second-longest tenured Knick behind Lance Thomas.
It’s easy for a player to get detached when sidelined for an extended period — especially since Porzingis is not taking road trips — but Fizdale is trying to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“My focus with him mainly is leadership, being present, helping the young big guys,” Fizdale said. “Talking to the young guards about what what they should be looking for. Taking guys to eat, spending time with them and things like that. He’s been doing that, it’s been great. And he heals when he heals.”
Still, Fizdale explained that he’s careful not to force a personality on Porzingis. The coach learned from his failures in Memphis about the importance of backing off, allowing tendencies to develop organically.
“I just think that’s something that has to come naturally for him. I just think that’s something that has to come from you,” he said. “What I tried to do now just learning from different experiences and stuff like that is don’t force feed that.
“Just leave some bread crumbs for them and opportunities for them to step into those roles. And if it feels right, they speak up. Don’t dictate who is going to be the leader. That gives freedom for everyone to lead when they need to lead. From whatever seat they’re at. (Porzingis), for whatever reason, has felt comfortable and safe leading this group from where he’s at right now. I’ve been very happy with his engagement and hopefully it just keeps growing.”
Monday represents the deadline for Porzingis to sign a $158 million extension, but there’s been no indication it’s going to happen. The Knicks have circled free agency in 2019 and will save $10 million in cap space by waiting to sign Porzingis as a restricted free agent in July. Porzingis doesn’t lose money under that scenario, just the security of his contract being guaranteed a year earlier.
Like with Porzingis’ health and everything else at the Garden these days, the Knicks are taking the long view. The slow drip back to recovery.