OT: Official KP Thread

[Slicin N Dicin]

Hey -

Spoiler:

KP still a little asss biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch

[RandlesCornrows]

Once the KP honeymoon is over after a year or two, he won’t be as highly thought of. He’ll never be efficient and no matter how “strong” he gets, his joints will never able to handle it

[Sark]

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-kristaps-porzingis-dallas-mavericks-trade-salary-cap-20191106-56jxdrysbbaibgo77qejblrqsu-story.html

The Mavericks are giving Kristaps Porzingis the star treatment he should have received from the Knicks

DALLAS — The premise that Kristaps Porzingis wasn’t amenable to changing his mind about an organization — or that the current Knicks’ regime couldn’t have repaired the wounds — doesn’t pass the smell test.

Remember, the Dallas Mavericks weren’t on Porzingis’ list of preferred destinations. On the day of the trade, there was even a threat, pushed via leak to The Athletic, that Porzingis would accept the qualifying offer so he didn’t have to sign long-term with Dallas.

But it didn’t take long for the Latvian to warm up to the idea of playing for Mark Cuban. So why couldn’t the Knicks, who had Porzingis on their roster for over three years, repair the fractured relationship — especially since he loved the market?

Porzingis still hasn’t spoken in depth about why he requested a trade from the Knicks. A source close to the 24-year-old said, simply, “He’s moved on. There’s no reason to talk about the Knicks.” But as David Fizdale’s squad travels to Dallas this week for Friday’s showdown against their former franchise cornerstone, it’s worth examining the different approaches of the organizations. If nothing else, the Knicks should’ve learned the value of keeping the star under the roof, rather than chasing the fantasies of cap space.

One difference is obviously the reputation and direction of the organizations. The Mavericks have Luka Doncic, a recent history of success and clear path toward contention. The Knicks don’t really have a direction. Another difference is the incorporation of Porzingis’ physiotherapist, Manolo Valdivieso, a Spaniard who worked with the 7-3 forward at Real Madrid. The Knicks resisted hiring “Valdy” on their staff — which would seem a minor and easy accommodation — while the Mavericks now employ him as a full-time strength and conditioning coach. According to Rick Carlisle, the Mavericks found an asset beyond the relationship with Porzingis.

“(Valdy’s) been great,” the coach said Tuesday. “He does a great job. We’ve learned some things from him and I think he’s learned some things from us. He’s been a big asset and all the players love him.”

Casey Smith, the Mavericks’ director of player health and performance, told the Daily News that Valdy’s value started with his intimate knowledge of Porzingis’ ACL rehab and evolved into something more expansive.

“It’s just nice to have people with different backgrounds,” Smith said. “We all have similar experiences so having someone that’s been in international basketball and did some things like that has been a real plus for us.”

Smith agreed that Valdy’s presence helped with Porzingis’ transition to a new city and organization.

“I see guys when they get traded. You’re literally trying to learn 50 people’s names. Learn what the schedule is. Cause every team is different,” Smith said. “I’m sure especially as a younger guy without a bunch of family and stuff like that... I’m sure that helps him feel a little more comfortable.”

Following the trade, the Knicks privately pushed the idea that Porzingis’ older brother and agent, Janis, was a demanding nuisance. To quote a story in the wake of the blockbuster, “Janis wanted the kingdom.” If that’s the case in Dallas, though, it’s hard to fathom. Janis, according to a source, is living overseas and not even with KP in Dallas. Asked Tuesday if he’s experienced any intrusiveness from Porzingis’ brother, Carlisle said, “No. We’re thrilled to have KP here. We’re also really glad to have Valdy as part of our staff.”

During his three-plus seasons in New York, the Knicks fired Porzingis’ favorite assistant coach, Josh Longstaff, and traded his best friend on the team, Willy Hernangomez. There was a sense that Steve Mills and Scott Perry weren’t sold on Porzingis as their max-level star, which was validated when they pulled the trigger on a trade within two hours of the Latvian requesting a relocation.

“I think KP wasn’t happy that they weren’t treating him the best way, the way he really deserves,” Hernangomez told the Daily News last season. “I just think when you don’t think you’re a part of the organization or the future, you keep moving. This is basketball. I think KP felt that way too. I think now he’s in a great place in Dallas to keep developing.”

The early returns on the trade aren’t flattering for the Knicks. They created cap space for two players — Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant — who instead signed with the crosstown rival. Dennis Smith Jr., the other important piece New York acquired, has struggled.

Porzingis, meanwhile, is buff and healthy while averaging 20.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in 32.3 minutes. The Mavericks are 4-2 and the Knicks are 1-6.

“It’s been great,” Carlisle said Tuesday. “Ever since KP came here in February, he’s been a meticulous and hard worker on everything involving the body to skill development to his position on the team as a top player.”

[DOLPHIN2020]

Chukzingis having another chucking game

[Phish Tank]

plenty of lowlights tonight for the $158 million man

[Oscirus]

they winning and hes opening up lanes. That's what the mavs need. Bit expensive for a floor spreader, but wutevs

[ChaosHamster]

Watch on YouTube

[Archijs]

KP having a bad game AND Knicks making progress for that #1 pick. Too bad KP didn't throw teammates under the bus, otherwise it would be a perfect day for Knicks fans.

[dakomish23]

he’s had more good games than all our FAs combined

Read on Twitter

Culchah!!!

[3toheadmelo]

Read on Twitter

[Deeeez Knicks]

I can't even blame KP. Knicks front office is a joke. I am sure they are the ones that F'd it up.

[GONYK]

If KP was so happy, why did he have a list of 4 teams that he wanted to go to?

It's all irrelevant though. I think the FO soured on him long before he made the decision to sour on us.

[Deeeez Knicks]

If KP was so happy, why did he have a list of 4 teams that he wanted to go to?

It's all irrelevant though. I think the FO soured on him long before he made the decision to sour on us.

Maybe from when Phil shopped him around?

[dakomish23]

If KP was so happy, why did he have a list of 4 teams that he wanted to go to?

It's all irrelevant though. I think the FO soured on him long before he made the decision to sour on us.

Maybe him and Janis had that list for a while just in case

[Phish Tank]

If KP was so happy, why did he have a list of 4 teams that he wanted to go to?

It's all irrelevant though. I think the FO soured on him long before he made the decision to sour on us.

if KP was really happy, he'd have shown up to all the road games.

[Rasho Brezec]

If KP was so happy, why did he have a list of 4 teams that he wanted to go to?

It's all irrelevant though. I think the FO soured on him long before he made the decision to sour on us.

Maybe him and Janis had that list for a while just in case

Knowing who drafted him, they had that list ready June 25, 2015.

[god shammgod]

Read on Twitter

what likely happened was he heard they were trying to trade him for ad and in other deals too. so he tried to get ahead of it and choose his destination.

[robillionaire]

Pretty glad we don’t have to make coddling this diva and his crazy brother the focal point of our franchise anymore good luck cuban

[blueNorange]

tbh when kristaps was averaging 3.3 assists through the first 4 games it started to hurt. i know kristaps will never be an elite rebounder or an efficient scorer, the one thing i always hope he improved was his passing because he towers over anyone and he's shown he can make a nice bounce pass.

but in his last 3 games he only has 1 assists so it's the same old kristaps.

good scorer, good defender. i hope mavs fan know even though he's 7'3", he's a small forward.

[Stannis]

good scorer, good defender. i hope mavs fan know even though he's 7'3", he's a small forward.

That was my biggest issue with him. It's hard to build around a 7'3" small forward