BOOS GIVE PORZINGIS BIG BOOST
KP, KP6 get Porzingis approval
ORLANDO, Fla. — “KP” or “KP6”?
During two drivetime interviews Tuesday on New York radio, Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis said those are his two favorite nicknames he has heard so far.
WFAN’s Mike Francesa told Porzingis he’d prefer to call him “Special K,’’ but the 7foot3 Latvian didn’t bite.
Knicks team president Phil Jackson bestowed “KP’’ on Porzingis the day after the draft. “KP6” originated when MSG Network sideline reporter Rebecca Haarlow and Knickstelecast producer Spencer Ju lien sat down with Porzingis for a piece during training camp and they came up with a play on Chris Paul’s CP3.
When Porzingis said he likes Jackson’s “KP,’’ Haarlow replied: “What if it’s like KP6 instead of CP3?’’ Porzingis answered: “I need to still prove myself in the league before they start to call me like that, but yeah that’d be nice in the future. KP6 sounds good.’’
Haarlow has called Porzingis KP6 on the air and Porzingis confirmed he’s now all for it.
➤ The entire Knicks bench struggled Tuesday in Miami, but rookie backup point guard Jerian
Grant’s poor play is most alarming. Teams are still trying to figure out Porzingis, but may have found a way to control the 19th overall pick from Notre Dame until he shows an ability to knock down a jumper or two.
Coach Derek Fisher has become so concerned with Grant, he used Sasha Vu
jacic ahead of him in the first quarter. Grant had a poor night, going 0for4 without a point or an assist in 12 minutes. It was his second straight 0for4, zeroassist night. In the past four games, he’s shooting 2 of 15 with two assists. Fisher explained the Vujacic move, saying he wanted to keep the Slovenian from getting too rusty.
➤ Kyle O’Quinn returns to Orlando, where he played three seasons, for the first time since signing with the Knicks in July. O’Quinn also has been in a funk with his playing time shrinking. After not playing two of the last three games, the Queens product had a sloppy stint off the bench that started Miami’s gameturning 232 run. … Ex-Knick Jason Smith, who left as a free agent, is coming off the bench for Orlando, averaging 13 minutes and 4.6 points.