Kristaps Porzingis' NBA debut went very well for the New York Knicks as Phil Jackson proved he was not crazy for selecting the power forward in the first round. Porzingis was calm under the big lights as he had 16 points in his debut. Porzingis earned the start over Derrick Williams who led the team with 24 points off the bench and no one was more happy with the rookie's performance than Carmelo Anthony.
There were a lot of reports in the offseason that Anthony was not happy Porzingis was the Knicks' first-round selection. NBA sources reported that Anthony felt betrayed by Jackson and could request a trade from the franchise. All of those reports were quickly shot down as Anthony is doing nothing but singing the praises of his new teammate.
"You couldn't ask for more than that," Anthony said, via ESPN.com in regards to Porzingis' debut. Head coach Derek Fisher followed that up by saying, "His level of aggression is remarkable for a young guy his size that doesn't necessarily carry a lot of weight. I think anytime he's on the floor, really good things can happen for us."
The rookies are looking strong for the Knicks. Jerian Grant is another player that impressed as he is coming off the bench for Jose Calderon. Grant tied with Anthony for five assists in the season opener and he credits the veterans for help before the season began. Grant was drafted as the potential franchise point guard down the road, but right now he is giving way to Calderon and Langston Galloway who is picking up right where he left off. Grant is showing plenty of potential as ESPN's Ian Begley reports the veterans are mentoring him to start the season.
"I'm trying to make [Grant's] jump into the NBA as comfortable as possible," Calderon said, via ESPN.com. "It doesn't matter who plays at the end of the day. I'm not happier because I'm starting on the Knicks. I could be starting, I could be coming off of the bench, and I'd be the same way. It's important to be in a good environment."
With Arron Afflalo out with a hamstring injury, production from Grant and Galloway will be very important. Anthony needs someone to help take the scoring pressure off his shoulders and both point guards can make that happen. Having a veteran like Calderon mentor them is the exact reason why the Knicks opted not to trade the point guard in the offseason.
