Kristaps Porzingis WILL PLAY for Latvia in EuroBasket2017

[ctorres]

Some of y'all act as if KP hasn't had a man-to-man, heart-to-heart conversation with the guys on the team at some point. KP is a pretty sharp dude.

Then again, maybe the extent of Melo and KP's text conversations have never gone past...

KP: Yo Melo, #PowerForward
Melo: Yo KP, #StayMelo young fella

They speak in hashtags alone

[ozwizard8]

Porzingis: "Should I go to Europe and represent my national team or stay in NYC and attend triangle classes and get yelled at by that lameass Rambis that no one likes? Easy choice"

+100
**** Phil Jackson fans wants to trade him now!!

Only KP and Melo can call Phil out.
You cant expect 1 year contract guys , L.Thomas-Kuzminskas short contracts to talk against Phil.
J.Noah already owe him 70m dollars. D.Rose looking for 100m/5 year deal.
C.Lee called triangle out but he didnt directly go against Phil.

Melo didnt accept to waive his trade clause. Phil did whatever he can to force him out.
Situation can get uglier if Phil do more passive-aggressive moves and leak some possible trades to media.
At the end of the day Melo is still powerful with that Trade Clause.

KP is the most valuable asset in the team. He had 2 strong years and he showed great potential. At this point of his career, he should be untradeable player for any GM.
You cant even trade him for #1 pick this year. Fultz might become next great pg but he's still mistery for NBA level.
And for opposing GM's it wont be easy to give #1 pick type assets.
Its like you cant trade KAT even for A.Davis. You dont know which player going to get MVP awards and titles right now. They can get better in good teams.
***

KP or Phil?
Every Knicks fan should choose KP. Otherwise they're more of a Phil Jackson fans than Knicks.
KP is the next 10-12 years of the franchise. Phil Jackson represents the last 3 pathetic years. Easy choice.

[newyorker4ever]

So, this KP quote:

“As a player who wants to be leader someday — when I saw things we need to change and be better at — I tried to speak up in the locker room. But there are many players used to playing this kind of basketball for more than ten years so you can’t change them. Coaches can try but it is what it is."

Sounds like a bit of a critique of Melo and Rose. Possibly CLee too. Those are the only guys on the team with around 10 years in the league.

Just for sh*ts and grins, I'm going to assume he meant Melo and Rose only, because that'll get things going nicely here.

He actually mentioned Noah's name when saying this so i think that's who he might of been talking about and i don't see KP meaning it in a bad way and just think it could be the language barrier thing.

mannn he's talking about melo and rose.

"but there are many players used to playing this kind of basketball"

Kris: It definitely added some character. Noah is emotional guy, who always was playing in the right system, so he knows how to play the right way, and doesn't want to play differently. And perhaps, we need more guys like him. It was just hard for him, that he couldn't play on the level he wanted to.. So it was hard for him to be a leader. Carmelo, is a really chill dude, pretty much nothing can fire him up, and Rose is just quiet, he doesn't talk at all.
So yeah, Noah was the guy, especially in the beginning of the season.. He was trying to help the guys, told coaches what to do.. It was a hard situation. But he couldn't impact some stupid decision we made as a team.
Noah didn't play on the level we all expected too.. but he was the guy who could tell someone things he didn't want to hear.

[newyorker4ever]

Here's the whole thing translated.

Hi guys. I translated some parts of the presser. I think I caught the main questions, left out couple I thought weren't so important.
First thing you did after arriving to Liepaja?
Kris: I went to the court (Basketball court he and his family built last year), to see if kids are playing there.
What news did you bring us regarding playing in our National team?
Kris: Every summer is really important to me, to my development. So I will be working really hard, and when the August comes, I will make my decision.. small pause I'am joking guys, I will be playing! applauses from the audience
We just decided it is time. I know that it will be a hard summer for me, I need to work on a lot of things. But again, we didn't make PO, so I will have time. Also, it isn't so much about me wanting to play, but that I think it will also benefit me.
Did you talk about playing with your teammates, or other potential members of Latvian NT?
Kris: Yeah, we were joking around with Kuuz. I said we will kick their asses in the exhibition games before the tournament. Its funny, Latvia and Lithuania always have brotherly beef against each other. ** Are there any business plans/trips in august that can interrupt your training process with NT?**
League(NBA) wants me to take a trip to the Africa in the beginning days of the training camp, so I will probably miss a couple of days.
Training camp starts 19th July. Kristaps will be in Africa from around 28th of July - 6th of August. ** If we take into account all things that happened during and especially at the end of the season in NY, did you talk about anything regarding playing in NT with them? What are their stance?**
Kris: To be honest, about the season.. and what happened at the end of it. I don't want to comment it right now..
Myself, I didn't personally talk to anyone, I think this is the better question for Janis.
Janis: I think its mostly his decision now. Yea, in first couple of years in the league, you aren't in the position to dictate what you want/gonna do.. But for Kristaps.. I think he is now in position - where he can.
Last year, we and other journalist talked to Carmelo and asked him about you, and he said it would be great for you to play for your NT. Did he said something to you during the season about that?
Yeah, I know that Carmelo values playing for NT very highly. But nah, to me he said, you better get ready for the season. But I feel he was just scared we may beat them if we met.
Guys, just please don't put it on any headlines. laughing
What about your injury`s, back seemed to bother you frequently ?
Kris: It wasn't anything serious. We made different kind of tests. But all they showed was a muscle strain. I just rested for a couple of days, and it got better.
And about my leg injury. First time when I came back from achilles injury, I kind of re-injured leg again.. But it wasn't anything serious.. But I told the teams stuff. And they decided it will be better to protect me and sit me out for a while.
So that's how all those missed games happened. It wasn't anything serious, just small issues, that we think could be avoided with better training regime.

Talking about NT again, how do you see your role in it? We all know on the Knicks, there are guys from whom we can expect 30-40 points, but on the NT, you will be the guy.. and someone, perhaps, will expect a big production, and being a leader, from you? Aren't you a little worried?
Kris: Worried? No! But yeah.. 30-40 points, it will not be easy..
Its hard to say right now. We don't know what will final look of the team be, how we will play. But of course, I know my role will be big, and I'am ready for it.
Can you tell us differences between you first and second seasons?
Kris: I think the first season was more enjoyable. It was my first time, everything was new and interesting.
And it went by so fast. I think the result was pretty much the same, we won one or two games more in the first year. But the overall atmosphere on the team was much more positive.
This year(2nd one), expectations were higher, so when we weren't able to meet expectation, it took a hit on us. Overall mood in the team was a lot worse. But I can take some positives out of it too. It was a experience, and a needed one. For me as, perhaps, a future leader, I learned a lot.
What about next season on the Knicks? Where will you start to think about it? Whats the situation at the moment? If Phil calls you, will you be picking up the phone?
Kris: As I've been saying. I try to think about things step by step. So the next step is the National Team. 3rd season is faaar away, now the priority is my conditioning and readiness to play for NT and the Knicks.
What about your sponsorship deals? Are there any new offers?
Janis: We re-signed a new deal with BodyArmor. Also Citadele (Bank in Latvia).
Martins: Also we will have a deal with 2K. They have a game which is on mobile devices, and Kristaps will be a face of that game. He will be on the cover.
Also there will be video interactions with him in the game (I didn't understood, will it be in the mobile or the real one..), like a story. And they will make his player model better this year.
How was it playing against Davis Bertans on the NBA court?
Kris: It was really fun. We are friends outside the court. And I think it was cool that we made history for Latvia, being the first two guys who playing against each other in NBA. But I was kind of mad that he made that three point shot from the corner against me, though..
*Guy asked a long question bashing Latvian NT coach, that he didn't have success in the past, and asked how KP feels about NT team lacking someone who can pass the ball. * Kris: I personally didn't work with Bagatskis (Latvian NT head coach), so I can't say for myself, But I know in Europe he has a reputation of being a very solid high end coach.
And about passing, I know we have a really good starting PG Janis Strelnieks who is playing in Euroleague. I didn't play with him before, but we will be working very hard to find chemistry on the court.
So going back to the last season in NY. What were the issues exactly that didn't allow you guys to meet expectations?
Kris: Like I've said before, I didn't want to talk about it that much..
But if you want something.. From the start it felt we couldn't find chemistry, and overall team that was assembled was.. pause I need to think about what I'am saying now. (Yeah, he actually said that ) Like from the start, it wasn't as everyone was expecting, so the pressure was raising, it didn't help either. Its hard for the team in its first year to achieve something, especially in NY. So all the small things just went wrong.

Were there a lot of moments when you were frustrated that you didn't get the ball?
Kristaps tries to answer, but Janis interrupts him.
Janis: Nah, Kristaps doesn't do that. We as brothers were pretty emotional, though.
Kristaps: Yeah, there was a time when we played on the road, and my family was together watching the game in my apartment, and someone got pretty hot, and broke the TV. looking at Janis
I've heard you have been talking to Mairis Briedis (WBC cruiserweight champion), about training together?
Kris: Yeah, Mairis has been trying to arrange a fight between us for a while now..
We have been looking to place where I would be able to train a little bit of boxing for a while. So Mairis offered his help with a place, and actually he will be practicing with me for a couple of weeks.
Question to Janis. Kristaps already talked a bit about his season in NY. What is your view on it?
Janis: I think it was great. His stats were up. If we consider the team he played on, I think he did great.
Other player were ready for him this year, did some homework. Remember those put-back dunks he had his rookie year, now everyone was just facing him, looking into the eyes, and didn't even allow him to get to the basket. There was a lot more focus on him.
But again, we went through a bunch of video already, and saw the things he needs to work on. And he knows those himself.
He is able to work alone, he knows the moves he needs to work on, so after that its about practice and repeating them again and again after you get better.
Overall it was a good year. OF course, mentally it was a bit tougher, when you lose so much, everyone started to look a bit lethargic. But he played alright even in the last games, did what he was supposed to do, of course there were bad game too, but that happens.
Question to Martins (he is kind of KP`s media representative). How big was pressure from the NY media in the last couple of weeks?
Martins: It was pretty big. There were a lot of questions, but no answers.
What are those things you think you need to work on the most in the summer?
Kris: Again, the most important this in my physical condition. We will be working hard on that.
And then there are some basketball things, we are looking to improve. I know that I have to bend lower, in pretty much every play, in the post, or just carrying the ball, so I can take contact easier and stay in my position.
Handle, shooting, we will work on all of it.
Did NY say anything specific about what you should improve in your game?
Kris: I'am in touch with one coach from NY. ANd our minds are pretty much in the same place, in regard of what should I do in the summer.
Kris, about those boxing trainings? Why did you decided to do those?
Kris: I just like boxing..
Janis: He needs to be in a good condition. So changing environment a little bit, will be a good thing.
How big for you was the Skill challenge award you won in an All-star break?
Kris: I mean, it definitely added some small positive vibes.. It was nice to win it, but It wasn't anything special.
Carmelo is a leader, and has a big ego. Also Rose and Noah two big names joined the team this year. How did that impacted the locker-room?
Kris: It definitely added some character. Noah is emotional guy, who always was playing in the right system, so he knows how to play the right way, and doesn't want to play differently. And perhaps, we need more guys like him. It was just hard for him, that he couldn't play on the level he wanted to.. So it was hard for him to be a leader. Carmelo, is a really chill dude, pretty much nothing can fire him up, and Rose is just quiet, he doesn't talk at all.
So yeah, Noah was the guy, especially in the beginning of the season.. He was trying to help the guys, told coaches what to do.. It was a hard situation. But he couldn't impact some stupid decision we made as a team.
Noah didn't play on the level we all expected too.. but he was the guy who could tell someone things he didn't want to hear.
Phil Just opted in another 2 years with the team. Do you think you will be in NY while you are on your rookie deal?

Kris: To be honest I don't know much about the deal. How many years I have left? Its a better question to Janis I think.
Janis: This isn't a very appropriate question. Kris still has a deal with NY, he was drafter there, and he wants to spend his career there. End of story.

[ozwizard8]

Some of y'all act as if KP hasn't had a man-to-man, heart-to-heart conversation with the guys on the team at some point. KP is a pretty sharp dude.

Then again, maybe the extent of Melo and KP's text conversations have never gone past...

KP: Yo Melo, #PowerForward
Melo: Yo KP, #StayMelo young fella

They speak in hashtags alone

People act like they dont how stubborn Phil Jackson is.
I dont care what Zen **** Master they call him. You may want him to coach your team but you wouldnt want him to be your friend-colleague-dad etc.
He is pretty stubborn person. If you ask to a coach in playoffs: "Who would you want as asistant coach right now?". I bet no-one would want P.Jackson. Popovich-Carlisle-Blatt-Kerr-D'Antoni and many other coaches would be more argueable than him.

"Never compromise not even in the face of armageddon" Phil 'Rorschach' Jackson.
Phil's triangle fetish is well known. KP has every right to avoid his triangle courses.
He plans Knicks to win 40 games and his triangle plan sucks too much and we won 20. He tries to get win 50 and we get 30 wins.
Any rational parameter shows triangle system doesnt work. But he simply denies it.
Players dont want to play with that system but he faults player/coaches etc.
Phil talks behind of them with Rosen so players retaliate his actions.

[thebuzzardman]

Porzingis: "Should I go to Europe and represent my national team or stay in NYC and attend triangle classes and get yelled at by that lameass Rambis that no one likes? Easy choice"

You know, not only did KP want to avoid Phil so he could go and join the national team, but maybe avoid that awkward eye contact moment in the hallway by running into Rambis accidentally:

Rambis: "KP! Hi Buddy! Looking forward to all the good triangle lessons I've got coming up this summer?"
KP (Awkward pause, looks away for a moment)
Rambis: (Dejected, angry look)

[NY2TheBay]

Also who knows what type of bullschit his brothers have been feeding him.

A kid like Fox will come in and on day 1 take the bull by the horns and Porzingis can fall back a little. There won't be this pressure to become a leader.

What are your PG rankings in this draft.

[seren]

This is great. Another reason to watch the Eurobasket

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[dakomish23]

The eggs were there when he arrived.

Bs

he's trying to scramble the facts. poaching what he wants to support his argument.

You should of expected that any criticism of PJax wouldn't go over easy

[dakomish23]

But he couldn't impact some stupid decision we made as a team.

[QueensG718]

trade his ass for any type 3 pick we can get. I don't like his attitude already

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[QueensG718]

since when did kp's inconsistant ass become bigger then the franchise. he's just adding to the disfunction by not attending meetings and not cooperating with what the franchise wants and thinks it's best for him. he can go kick rocks on draft night if we can get something good for him. this dude hasn't even proved he can play a full season yet

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[Red Vines]

Brother Janis is team Hoodwinked.

[Ganji]

Looks like he wants to live up to my avatar picture and said that he will be taking box lessons this summer from Mairis Briedis (WBC cruiserweight title holder)

Watch on YouTube

[Jimmit79]

I'm disappointed of kp if we had roster like Philly or Bucks I would trade his ass in a sec but all we have is kp willy and fat melo.

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[QueensG718]

you guys are really underestimating Phil's ego. you think he's going to let a 2 yr newbie son him like that and get away with it? I would not put it past Phil if he trades kpo in spite of that alone

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[Anotha Knicks fan]

Damn, I'm really curious what's going on in dude's head. While I get the desire to get away from this circus while it tries to right it's path, he does come across rather prickish and short... Avoiding at all costs. and what he did say was rather cryptish. One thing is for sure, his golden boy status on the team has surely taken a hit, and wrong or right about phil (if this stance is even directed towards him) he's a bit too young and unaccomplished to be making these kinds of waves. The same could have been done without taking such a stance. This is no way to act if he's to become the team's leader post Melo.

Maybe Phil caught wind of this beforehand, which prompted him to remove kp's untouchable status. Or is it the other way around?

[King of Canada]

you guys are really underestimating Phil's ego. you think he's going to let a 2 yr newbie son him like that and get away with it? I would not put it past Phil if he trades kpo in spite of that alone

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You are way underestimating the power of Dolan to stomp Phil like a rat. KP is going nowhere. He's young, is top 10 in jersey sales, and top 10 on the dream list of every GM in the NBA. This is not the Sopranos and Phil is going to show some muscle. Everybody inside the org knows what kind of **** show this season was, and most players will have the same feelings. It's just the dickweed NY media blowing this whole thing with KP way out of proportion.

[QueensG718]

idk whatever happens happens but I just want fox on this team. Once I saw him cry after he lost that sold me. He hates to lose..thats a leader we need. He has the desire skills and passion that I want here

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[whocares1]

But he couldn't impact some stupid decision we made as a team.

He's either referring to disbanding the triangle or going back to the triangle. I'm going to have to say the first one because Noah wasn't there when they went back to it.