The case for Kristaps Porzingis

[Nemesis21]

kris taps poor zingis?

[seeingstars]

best ever!

Killed me. Dude looks like a Nickelodeon character

[Truth24]

This guy sounds like a very risky pick if you are drafting in the top 5 or 6. Why take the risk?

He is just as big of a risk as everyone else is at that point in the draft so why not, it's like taking Aaron Gordon was a risk last year but Henny did. It's not much of a risk to take the best power forward in the draft at a point in which most draft people have him slated.

[rcklsscognition]

He's #3 on my board (at the 5th slot), hopefully we learn some more about him in the next couple of months.

[cedric76]

Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Latvia



MANUEL GOMEZ/Associated Press

Yes, I think the No. 6 player in my mock draft could end up being a major riser up the board despite the fact that he's already a high lottery pick—especially depending on how the lottery eventually plays out.

More than a few members of NBA front office personnel have been wowed by him, as Chad Ford of ESPN passed along:

"He's an athletic, super-skilled 7-footer who can do everything well," one GM said. "I was watching him warm up and had flashbacks to when I saw Pau Gasol take the floor for the first time in Spain. Only this kid is much more athletic than Gasol, but plays with that same fluidity. I've been asking my team since then, 'Are you sure he's not the No. 1 guy? Are these guys in college really better than him?'"

Said another veteran international scout: "He's my favorite player in this draft. I keep telling my staff, 'This one is not like other international players.' He's the real deal. He's special in all the ways a player can be special. He just needs to get stronger. That's it. He's going to be a big-time pro."

When you are eliciting comparisons to Gasol or Dirk Nowitzki, well, you're special. Yes, Kristaps Porzingis needs to improve his post game. But beyond that, he's a really impressive athlete who blocks shots, can stretch a defense with a three-point stroke and can likely play both forward positions in the NBA.

That versatility makes him special, and if a team that doesn't particularly need guard help jumps into the top three, he could easily be picked in that range.

 

[Orlwillbeback]

Soft. We would have the softest front line ever, and be investing in it long term. Please god, no.

[Truth24]

Soft. We would have the softest front line ever, and be investing in it long term. Please god, no.

Soft implies that he shy's away from contact or that he isn't willing to go up with someone to contest/block; this line of thinking just isn't true. He isn't strong and will get pushed back, but he doesn't try to avoid contact or mind going up with a guy to contest his dunk or layup.

[Magicman125]

Strength/conditioning is my only concern with Porzingis. We don't need him to develop a post-game if we plan on having him play next to Vuc, utilize his range on offense with pick and pops, pick and rolls, and slips out to the 3 pt line. Everything else can just be hustle like putbacks and oops/layups.

If we want a defensive 4 next to Vuc, it seems like he could one day be that guy, but it'd take him a while to develop his body to be able to fill that role on the NBA level.

[Magic#1]

Strength/conditioning is my only concern with Porzingis. We don't need him to develop a post-game if we plan on having him play next to Vuc, utilize his range on offense with pick and pops, pick and rolls, and slips out to the 3 pt line. Everything else can just be hustle like putbacks and oops/layups.

If we want a defensive 4 next to Vuc, it seems like he could one day be that guy, but it'd take him a while to develop his body to be able to fill that role on the NBA level.

That's part of the reason why I think he would fit in so well with us on day one. Him running with Elf, Dipo and AG would be dangerous.

[seeingstars]

I really hope we go with a "riskier" pick, which is what porzingis seems to be to a lot of people. No one knocks his talent its always about him not having enough muscle yet, when honestly, there's usually only 2 or 3 bigs that have NBA bodies coming into the league. Would everyone here pass on Anthony Davis because he wasnt 240?

[Truth24]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFBFakWzakc[/youtube]

This is one of my favorite highlight clips of Taps.

[KillMonger]

Strength/conditioning is my only concern with Porzingis. We don't need him to develop a post-game if we plan on having him play next to Vuc, utilize his range on offense with pick and pops, pick and rolls, and slips out to the 3 pt line. Everything else can just be hustle like putbacks and oops/layups.

If we want a defensive 4 next to Vuc, it seems like he could one day be that guy, but it'd take him a while to develop his body to be able to fill that role on the NBA level.

That's part of the reason why I think he would fit in so well with us on day one. Him running with Elf, Dipo and AG would be dangerous.

Another concern is I read a report that said something along of the lines of it's been 2 or 3 years and he hasn't made any significant gains body-wise. Maybe he's just one of those dudes that just stays skinny, I guess he can be wiry strong.

[Truth24]

Strength/conditioning is my only concern with Porzingis. We don't need him to develop a post-game if we plan on having him play next to Vuc, utilize his range on offense with pick and pops, pick and rolls, and slips out to the 3 pt line. Everything else can just be hustle like putbacks and oops/layups.

If we want a defensive 4 next to Vuc, it seems like he could one day be that guy, but it'd take him a while to develop his body to be able to fill that role on the NBA level.

That's part of the reason why I think he would fit in so well with us on day one. Him running with Elf, Dipo and AG would be dangerous.

Another concern is I read a report that said something along of the lines of it's been 2 or 3 years and he hasn't made any significant gains body-wise. Maybe he's just one of those dudes that just stays skinny, I guess he can be wiry strong.

He might be that type of guy who really never gains much weight, but 3 years ago he was 16 and still growing height wise. I think once he gets settled into America and gets into a NBA program he should gain some good weight.

[fendilim]

I'd be disappointed if we didn't pick him

[Magic#1]

That's part of the reason why I think he would fit in so well with us on day one. Him running with Elf, Dipo and AG would be dangerous.

Another concern is I read a report that said something along of the lines of it's been 2 or 3 years and he hasn't made any significant gains body-wise. Maybe he's just one of those dudes that just stays skinny, I guess he can be wiry strong.

He might be that type of guy who really never gains much weight, but 3 years ago he was 16 and still growing height wise. I think once he gets settled into America and gets into a NBA program he should gain some good weight.

Good information there. Still, guys like AK47 or even KG stayed wiry yet were tough as nails. His strength is something to keep in mind, but if he's the best fit skills wise, I let that be the defining trait. He is still young and has a high metabolism so it may actually be hard for him to gain significant weight for a few years. As long as he's committed to working out, I'd take a serious look at him if we're in the 5-7 range.

[KillMonger]

Draft and stash? I read a mock that had us picking him but had us drafting him and letting him get more seasoning overseas.

[Devin 1L]

Are we really comparing photos of players in high school with Prozingis who is about to turn 20 years old?

And that's without even acknowledging frame.

This isn't even an anti-Porzingis post. I just think it's a bit silly.

[KillMonger]

Ok, you guys broke me down....i'm on the bandwagon now, just kept doing more research and liked what i saw. Still some concerns but for the most part i'm impressed.

[SOUL]

id probably like him the most if he had a better name lmao

[KillMonger]

id probably like him the most if he had a better name lmao

Nickname?