The case for Kristaps Porzingis

[Skin]

Yeah he is bigger but he can play PF. I don't think he is exclusively a center though he could be an maybe in a year or two we look to trade one of them. That remains to be seen but I believe Towns has the ability to be true rim protector whereas Porzingis will just be a shot blocking PF. As I have said the two aren't the same as any PF,especially these days has to chase around quicker and more mobile PFs who can even shoot the three. But I also think that Towns has enough range on his shot and just enough athletic ability to defend the 4 as well. As I said I wouldn't be disappointed with Porzingis but I like Towns just a bit more. yeah they probably will get bigger but not sure by how much and I think Porzingis is purely a PF whereas I think Towns could possibly be ideal at either spot. We shall see but I would be happy with either.

I don't think Towns is exclusively a Center either. But I think at PF, he has some drawbacks that Porzingis doesn't. On defense, it all stems from the quickness, athleticism and length that Porzingis bests him at. It allows him to close faster making him a better rim protector from all sides. Those same traits help him keep up with quick/mobile PFs who like to stretch the floor or drive. On offense, his range is more advanced than Towns. Towns shoots 0.3 3PA per game making only 0.1 on a .250 clilp. Those aren't good indicators especially since the college 3pt line is closer than the NBA 3pt line.

I like Towns, but if I'm being honest with myself, I'm not seeing him develop the skills of a stretch 4 and I think the make up of our team requires that right now. We have guards that love to drive and not enough shooters on the floor. I love Towns down low though.

Porzingis is skinny and needs to pack on weight, but it's not really as big of a hindrance in basketball. Durant proved that as he's one of the best defending wings in the league. Lebron and Melo went on a skinny diet. Kendrick Perkins the same. The best defending bigs right now are Gobert and Whiteside. Not exactly heavyweights.

Check this link out. It's pretty cool.

Estimated Rim Protection Value 2014/15
Points saved vs. NBA average big .Through games of 2/2/15, minimum 20 GP, 15 MPG and 4 contests/36

http://nyloncalculus.com/stats/rim-protection/

[OrlChamps2030]

I've liked what I've seen from Porzingis a lot. Theoretically he is a great fit on this team.. tall and long athlete that gets up and down the floor well and can finish at the rim, 3 point range, looks to be a good help defender, and can defend in space. But it's always hard to project how these Euro guys will do in the NBA. I just haven't seen enough of him at this point. When the game slows down what does his game look like?? It seems like he gets most of his buckets in transition, threes, and straight line drives. Does he have the ability to face up or get to the line?? Does he have ball skills?? I doubt he will be much of a banger or a great rebounder, at least until he bulks up

Skin, I think you may be underrating Karl Towns offensive ability a bit. I agree with some of your knocks on him (may struggle defending in space,not a GREAT athlete) but he looks to me like a more complete offensive player. He finishes down low, is a great passer for a big, gets to the line, can handle the ball, and has range that he has not been able to show at Kentucky. Already has a NBA ready body and is a decent athlete. I like what I've seen from him on defense and I think he will a good defender both man and on help.

Towns seems more skilled and has a better feel for the game. I think Towns has a lot of stuff he hasn't been able to show at Kentucky as well. Porzingis is a great fit at PF though if he can pan out.. I will have to check out more footage on him.

Great write up btw

[Skin]

I've liked what I've seen from Porzingis a lot. Theoretically he is a great fit on this team.. tall and long athlete that gets up and down the floor well and can finish at the rim, 3 point range, looks to be a good help defender, and can defend in space. But it's always hard to project how these Euro guys will do in the NBA. I just haven't seen enough of him at this point. When the game slows down what does his game look like?? It seems like he gets most of his buckets in transition, threes, and straight line drives. Does he have the ability to face up or get to the line?? Does he have ball skills?? I doubt he will be much of a banger or a great rebounder, at least until he bulks up

Skin, I think you may be underrating Karl Towns offensive ability a bit. I agree with some of your knocks on him (may struggle defending in space,not a GREAT athlete) but he looks to me like a more complete offensive player. He finishes down low, is a great passer for a big, gets to the line, can handle the ball, and has range that he has not been able to show at Kentucky. Already has a NBA ready body and is a decent athlete. I like what I've seen from him on defense and I think he will a good defender both man and on help.

Towns seems more skilled and has a better feel for the game. I think Towns has a lot of stuff he hasn't been able to show at Kentucky as well. Porzingis is a great fit at PF though if he can pan out.. I will have to check out more footage on him.

Great write up btw

It's a fine line to walk when comparing prospects because I really like Towns too. I would give Towns the advantage in passing, getting to the line and physicality in the post. I think Towns has a great feel for the game and has high BBIQ.

I don't know about having stuff that he hasn't shown at Kentucky. Calipari is not known as a strict system guy. He let's players play to their strengths and tries to take advantage of it.

I think we would be fortunate if we added Towns, Turner or Porzingis. That's why I keep promoting the tank.

[claudio-br]

Im not trying to be racist here at all... im neither black or white or Euro.....

BUT

I don't feel comfortable having two Soft Euros as my Front Court.
Im more scared of Retired Ben Wallace now than Porzingis. Its a mental game too for Athletes.
Ill drive all day on those Euros If I was a BBALL player.

Who knows Maybe im just ignorant

[MagicFan101]

This guys looks so soft. I have no interest in him unless we fall to the #8-10 draft pick. Every year there is another Euro guy that everyone is in love with and (almost) every year that guy disappoints. Sure, plenty of college kids disappoint as well but if we get a top 5 pick there will be a quality player there who can contribute (at least off the bench) in right away.

[Truth24]

I've liked what I've seen from Porzingis a lot. Theoretically he is a great fit on this team.. tall and long athlete that gets up and down the floor well and can finish at the rim, 3 point range, looks to be a good help defender, and can defend in space. But it's always hard to project how these Euro guys will do in the NBA. I just haven't seen enough of him at this point. When the game slows down what does his game look like?? It seems like he gets most of his buckets in transition, threes, and straight line drives. Does he have the ability to face up or get to the line?? Does he have ball skills?? I doubt he will be much of a banger or a great rebounder, at least until he bulks up

Skin, I think you may be underrating Karl Towns offensive ability a bit. I agree with some of your knocks on him (may struggle defending in space,not a GREAT athlete) but he looks to me like a more complete offensive player. He finishes down low, is a great passer for a big, gets to the line, can handle the ball, and has range that he has not been able to show at Kentucky. Already has a NBA ready body and is a decent athlete. I like what I've seen from him on defense and I think he will a good defender both man and on help.

Towns seems more skilled and has a better feel for the game. I think Towns has a lot of stuff he hasn't been able to show at Kentucky as well. Porzingis is a great fit at PF though if he can pan out.. I will have to check out more footage on him.

Great write up btw

It's a fine line to walk when comparing prospects because I really like Towns too. I would give Towns the advantage in passing, getting to the line and physicality in the post. I think Towns has a great feel for the game and has high BBIQ.

I don't know about having stuff that he hasn't shown at Kentucky. Calipari is not known as a strict system guy. He let's players play to their strengths and tries to take advantage of it.

I think we would be fortunate if we added Towns, Turner or Porzingis. That's why I keep promoting the tank.

It's similar to Anthony Davis, he could always shoot the mid range but he really didn't show it off in college. KaT can shoot the ball but he just doesn't get to at Kentucky. Also Town isn't some athletic slow player, he is a decent athlete and while he might not be a better athlete over Kristaps he is decent enough to be able to defend and run in the league.

[Scottg247]

Kristaps Porzingis looks alot like Timmy from South Park! So we have been wanting a Tim Duncan type of player? How about TIMMY DUNKIN hahaha

[BadMofoPimp]

I seriously doubt Kristaps is even considered for a top 5 pick. 8th pick, maybe.

[Scottg247]

He looks good though. Would he come over right away? I don't see us drafting him if he didn't.

[Skin]

Chad Ford mock released today.

1. NY - Okafor
2. MIN - Towns
3. PHI - Russell
4. LAL - Mudiay
5. ORL - Porzingis

The Magic were disappointed in their poor start this season, and Jacque Vaughn was the first casualty in the Magic's rebuilding process. The team has young talent at every position -- Elfrid Payton at the point, Victor Oladipo at the 2, Aaron Gordon at the 3/4, Tobias Harris at the 3/4, and Nikola Vucevic at the 5. Adding Porzingis to the mix would give them an athletic big man who can protect the rim and stretch the floor with his jumper. Think of a more athletic version of Bulls rookie Nikola Mirotic. Porzingis would be a very good fit in Orlando, and some scouts believe his upside could make him an All-Star someday.

[Nyce_1]

Ford also had us taking everyone except AG last year.

[Skin]

Ford also had us taking everyone except AG last year.

His mocks are based off what he thinks teams should do and he's also a pretty good indicator of player's draft stock value. Some here have doubts about Porzingis in the top 7 or being worth a Top 5 pick. Glad I beat Ford to the punch in seeing the fit here in ORL.

[AshBlackstone]

The track record for white Europeans whose main selling point at the draft is their athletic ability = beyond awful.

I'll pass, and hope for Towns or Stein. Drafting this Euro would be my worst nightmare.

[shadrock]

Skin,

Who did write that?

How is Miles Turner not a true rim protector? Per 40 minutes he averages over 5 blocks a game!

Towns is the stand alone #1 individual defender in college basketball per advanced defensive stKimats.

I'm not saying either is perfect but per these stats I don't understand some of the comments in that write-up.

Still, it was an interesting read. Thanks for sharing!

Rim protection and blocks are not the same thing.

[Nyce_1]

Ford also had us taking everyone except AG last year.

His mocks are based off what he thinks teams should do and he's also a pretty good indicator of player's draft stock value. Some here have doubts about Porzingis in the top 7 or being worth a Top 5 pick. Glad I beat Ford to the punch in seeing the fit here in ORL.

Gotcha. I'm on the Wagon with KP and looking forward to Draft time for more coverage.

[JBSouthpaw]

Ford also had us taking everyone except AG last year.

Did anyone have us taking AG?? doubt it.

[Orlwillbeback]

Ford also had us taking everyone except AG last year.

Yep, he had us taking exum and vonleh primarily. This guy doesnt really know ****. I personally would be surprised if henny took another raw prospect like pozingis. Personally, i think he likes towns followed by johnson.

[Skin]

Ford also had us taking everyone except AG last year.

Yep, he had us taking exum and vonleh primarily. This guy doesnt really know ****. I personally would be surprised if henny took another raw prospect like pozingis. Personally, i think he likes towns followed by johnson.

Well, Towns is going #2 in Ford's mock. It's easily possible that Henny prefers Towns over Porzingis.

My question to you is... would you rather us keep losing to increase our odds at Towns? If I'm remembering correctly, you hate the tank and want to try to keep winning games. Amirite?

[407Junkie]

Take Stein and call it a day. He's a better Tyson Chandler.

[InFlames]

Take Stein and call it a day. He's a better Tyson Chandler.

We aren't gonna take WCS with a top 5 pick.