Rook continues to get ‘stronger’
Kristaps Porzingis gave a promising performance at the Las Vegas summer league in July and now he’s starting to wow them at West Point.
Training camp will provide more challenges for the 7foot3 Latvian rookie, but he said he’s already benefiting from his 11pound weight gain.
“I could feel the difference — I was real light during summer league,’’ Porzingis said after the Knicks’ first twohour practice at West Point’s Christl Arena. “I could tell I’m a little heavier. I’m still light for these heavyweights, but I’m getting there. I’m getting stronger, so that’s positive.’’
Porzingis was listed at 233 pounds in Vegas, so he should be in the 244pound range. The Knicks didn’t scrimmage Tuesday, but did lots of running and halfcourt contact drills.
Porzingis said he never had heard of West Point until he learned last month training camp would be held there.
“During the summer I saw that [Porzingis] seemed very comfortable,’’ Carmelo Anthony said. “Today he seemed comfortable. It doesn’t seem like he’s timid.”
Anthony indicated his confidence in Porzingis rose after watching him defend and block shots in Las Vegas then rose even further after playing with him 1on1 at his Manhattan gym.
“That’s what I wanted to see — him compete,’’ Anthony said. “It wasn’t about him going out and scoring 15, 30 points. It was about toughness and heart and [how he would] react to physical play. And everyone’s trying to make a name in summer league, so it was a perfect time for him to go on that stage and prove something.’’ And so he did. Knicks coach Derek Fisher indicated Porzingis will be in position to win the starting powerforward job.
“I don’t think he surprises me,’’ Fisher said after practice. “He’s extremely talented. We’ve bragged a lot about his work ethic and how serious he takes his job even though he’s [20]. He didn’t show anything different today.”
Anthony was drafted by the Nuggets at age 19 after winning the NCAA title for Syracuse. But Anthony has said Porzingis will face “so much pressure’’ as a rookie after being booed on draft night.
“I wasn’t a rookie in New York,’’ Anthony said. “It’s hard to put myself in those shoes. The difference: Everyone knew who I was. Nobody knew who he was. You had to go on YouTube and see his clips. That’s why he got the reaction he got when he got drafted.’’
Anthony admitted it was challenging going against Porzingis in their 1on1 skirmishes.
“He’s 73, man,’’ Anthony said. “I was fouling the [beep] out of him. He’s 73, legit. He did [block me] a couple of times, of course. He’s 73. He’s going to block something.’’
Before practice Tuesday morning, Knicks players got to see the cadets in action, catching a glimpse of their training.
“It’s unbelievable what they go through,’’ Porzingis said. “It’s fun to see from the outside. I’d like to try those drills. It’s not easy.’’