All eyes are on Kristaps Porzingis as the New York Knicks kick off training camp. While the rookie was originally met with boos in the Big Apple, he is now quickly turning heads as praise comes in from Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony. The big question is just how quickly the Knicks will work him into the offense as right now Derrick Williams is penciled in as the starter.
Porzingis is not gunning for the starting job right now. Instead, he is focused on learning the offense and becoming an impact player. While Jackson likes the power forward as the future of the franchise, that might not happen as quickly as some expect. Porzingis knows his time with the Knicks will come.
"Yeah, one thing is my personality, and then I think I have the right people around me," Porzingis said, via ESPN.com. "My family keep my head straight and make sure I do the right thing and not worry about other stuff too much. That's the main thing for a young guy in a big city like this. I just need to stay focused and my moment will come sooner or later."
Porzingis represents the future of the franchise for the Knicks while players like Arron Afflalo and Williams are merely stop-gap options to help New York improve now. Jackson told the media that the Knicks cannot sign big-named players if they are not winning. That was clear this past offseason when the team failed to ink DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge. Carmelo Anthony admitted he was disappointed in the outcome of free agency, but still likes the pieces currently in place. However, he is not ready to make a prediction on the year.
"To be quite honest, I don't really have any expectations at this time," Anthony said, via USA Today Sports. "Especially when this group has just been put together. We haven't started practicing yet. It's not going to even start happening until tomorrow morning. And it's going to take time, getting guys playing together."
The Knicks have pieces to help win now and players to build on for the future. Robin Lopez and Jose Calderon will help Anthony immediately while Jerian Grant is seen as someone to develop for the future. Jackson is hoping this plan works out as many NBA sources believe if it does not then Anthony is likely to ask for a trade as his time to win is now and not later.
