The Kristaps Porzingis hype train is running full steam ahead as the New York Knicks prepare for their first preseason game. The biggest question surrounding the rookie is just how much responsibility he will be given at the start of the year. Porzingis represents the future of the New York franchise and fans will get an early look at what that could be as he is expected to be a starter this season.
Porzingis got the start over Derrick Williams in the team's first preseason game. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, head coach Derek Fisher indicated that the team felt good about where Porzingis was heading into the game and Porzingis echoed that he was ready to play.
"I'm not nervous, I'm just excited," said Porzingis, via the Daily News. "The atmosphere is going to be great. Probably the fans know me a little better. And now I just got to prove that I can play on the court, not just talking. So tomorrow's the first day, the first step. I have to play as hard as I can. ... My first official game in the NBA. This is a dream come true, for sure, and especially to represent New York."
The power forward had a quiet night, but certainly did enough to show that he has the potential to be a star-in-the-making for the Knicks. The rookie knows that anything can change for the team. Porzingis told Ian Begley via ESPN.com, "It's not set in stone yet. I've still got to prove that I can play and be a starter." He is not off to a bad start.
The biggest question mark is the point guard position and the first preseason game did little to clarify the picture. Jose Calderon got the nod in the first game as Fisher opted to put in Sasha Vujacic over a two point guard system. Calderon was quiet while Jerian Grant might have been the most impressive, showing athleticism at the position. The chances that New York enters the season with four point guards on the roster is very slim. They might only keep two which means the competition is high. Langston Galloway recorded the most minutes of the bunch thanks to his knowledge of the offense. That might help in the long run.