Porzingis eager for Knicks’ ‘big year’
Knicks fans aren’t alone in their optimism following the team’s flurry of offseason acquisitions. Kristaps Porzingis is right there with them.
“We all know it’s going to be a big season for us,” the Latvian sensation said on the “33rd and 7th” podcast. “I can tell the guys are really locked in and ready during the summer. We’re all going to be ready for the season to start. We can’t wait. We’re really excited.”
The Knicks made a bevy of moves, trading for former MVP Derrick Rose and signing Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings.
“I’m really happy with all the moves that we made,” Porzingis said. “I think we got a lot better this offseason, just seeing all the guys we [brought] in, the talent that we have now. We have to have the mentality we have to do bigger things than we did last season. We have to be a much better team, and if everybody has that mentality, we all got to get together and work towards that goal [to reach] the playoffs. And if we do, go from there.”
Porzingis worked out with many of the new Knicks in Los Angeles in mid-July, and was impressed by his new teammates, saying “the guys looked really good.”
Porzingis, the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft, has spent the offseason making sure he doesn’t have a sophomore slump by trying to get stronger and refine his skills. He won’t sneak up on anyone this season after he was a unanimous all-rookie selection, averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
“The second season is going to be huge for me,” he said. “Now, everybody knows I can play. It’s now how much better can I get with every season. … The fans are expecting a lot from me. I’m expecting a lot from myself as well. It’s going to be a really important season for me. I got to stay really locked in and do what I got to do next season, which is making the playoffs.”
New Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek talked excitedly about the many ways he can use Porzingis on the offensive end.
“I’ve been working on a lot of stuff,” Porzingis said. “Everybody wants to see me play better in the post.”