Kristaps Porzingis has been an up-and-coming star in the NBA since he was selected fourth overall in the 2015 draft by the New York Knicks. He has put up impressive numbers throughout his career, averaging 18.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
But is Porzingis truly as good as his stats suggest?
Career Averages
Kristaps Porzingis is one of the most unique players in the NBA today. His 7’3″ frame, agility and shooting touch have made him a coveted asset for any team looking to build a contender. His career averages of 18.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game are nothing short of remarkable. What’s even more impressive is that he is one of only 10 players in NBA history to average at least 18, 7 and 1.5 in those categories. The other nine players in this elite group are some of the greatest big men to ever play the game.
Hall of Famers
The first player to join this exclusive list is Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal was one of the most dominant big men in league history, averaging 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game over his 19 season career. He was also a four-time NBA champion, three-time Finals MVP and 15-time All-Star.
Another Hall of Famer who joins this group is David Robinson. Robinson was a key member of the Spurs dynasty in the late 90s and early 2000s, averaging 21.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game in his 14 seasons in San Antonio. He was a two-time champion, 10-time All-Star and 1995 MVP.
Current Stars
In addition to the Hall of Famers, this list also includes current stars such as Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Joel Embiid. Davis is one of the best two-way players in the league, averaging 24.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in his nine seasons with the Pelicans and Lakers. Towns is a five-time All-Star who has averaged 21.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in his six seasons with the Timberwolves. Lastly, Embiid is a three-time All-Star who has averaged 24.1 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in his five seasons with the 76ers.
Legacy:
The fact that Porzingis is in such elite company speaks to his legacy as one of the best big men in the game today. He has already established himself as an All-Star caliber player and if he can stay healthy, he has the potential to become one of the greatest players in NBA history. Porzingis’ impressive career averages are proof that he belongs in the discussion of the game’s top big men and is on track to cement his legacy as one of the greatest ever.
Statistics
Source: fivethirtyeight.com
Defensive Stats
Defensive stats are a great way to measure a player’s ability to impact the game on the defensive end. These stats include steals, blocks, and defensive rebounds. A player’s ability to guard their opponents, anticipate passes and make defensive plays is reflected in these defensive stats.
Steals: Steals measure a player’s ability to disrupt the offense by taking the ball away from the opponent. A player’s quickness, agility, and ability to anticipate plays can be seen in their steal totals.
Blocks: Blocks measure a player’s ability to protect the rim and stop opponents from scoring. This stat reflects a player’s size, strength, and timing, as well as their ability to read the game and anticipate the opposition’s moves.
Defensive Rebounds: Defensive rebounds measure a player’s ability to get the ball off the rim after an opponent misses a shot. This stat reflects a player’s size, strength, and ability to box out and rebound the ball.
Offensive Stats
Offensive stats are a great way to measure a player’s ability to impact the game on the offensive end. These stats include points, assists, and offensive rebounds. A player’s ability to score, pass, and create scoring opportunities is reflected in these offensive stats.
Points: Points measure a player’s ability to score. This stat reflects a player’s shooting ability, strength, and ability to get to the rim and finish.
Assists: Assists measure a player’s ability to create scoring opportunities for their teammates. This stat reflects a player’s vision, court awareness, and passing ability.
Offensive Rebounds: Offensive rebounds measure a player’s ability to get the ball off the rim after their own shot misses. This stat reflects a player’s size, strength, and ability to box out and rebound the ball.
Advanced Stats
Advanced stats are a great way to measure a player’s overall impact on the game. These stats include player efficiency rating (PER), true shooting percentage (TS%), and usage rate (USG%). These stats reflect a player’s overall impact on the game, taking into account all of their offensive and defensive stats.
Player Efficiency Rating (PER): PER measures a player’s overall efficiency, taking into account all of their offensive and defensive stats. This stat reflects a player’s ability to contribute in all facets of the game.
True Shooting Percentage (TS%): TS% measures a player’s shooting efficiency, taking into account all of their shot attempts from the field, three-point range, and free throw line. This stat reflects a player’s ability to shoot accurately from all areas of the court.
Usage Rate (USG%): USG% measures a player’s involvement in the offense, taking into account all of their shot attempts, assists, and turnovers. This stat reflects a player’s ability to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates.
On-Court Play
Strengths
Kristaps Porzingis is one of the most unique and dynamic players in the NBA. He stands at an imposing 7’3″ and is blessed with both an incredible wingspan and a quickness and agility that belies his size. His skill-set is one that is unmatched in the NBA. He is an excellent shooter, capable of making shots from all over the court, with a career average of 37.8% from three-point range. He is also a strong post-up player and a willing passer, averaging 2.3 assists per game. His length also makes him a very good shot-blocker, averaging 1.9 blocks per game for his career. In addition to all this, Porzingis is one of the best rebounding bigs in the league, averaging 7.9 rebounds per game for his career.
Weaknesses
Despite all of his strengths, Porzingis does have some areas of weakness in his game. He is not a particularly good free-throw shooter, averaging just 74.5% from the charity stripe for his career. He also has had some durability issues, as he has missed significant portions of the past two seasons due to injury. He also lacks the physicality and strength to consistently hold his own against some of the more powerful big men in the league. Finally, Porzingis can also be prone to having lapses in concentration and focus on the defensive end, leading to defensive breakdowns that can be costly for his team.
Future Outlook
Source: answerwiki.net
Expectations for the Coming Season
The expectations for Kristaps Porzingis’s coming season are extremely high. He is coming off of an All-Star season in which he averaged career highs in points (23.7) and rebounds (7.2), and was instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks’ success. This upcoming season, Porzingis will be expected to take his game to the next level and help the Mavericks become a legitimate title contender in the Western Conference. He will be asked to carry the load offensively and be the team’s go-to scorer, while also anchoring the defense with his 7’3” frame and shot-blocking ability.
Potential to be an All-Time Great
Kristaps Porzingis has the potential to become an all-time great in the NBA. At 25 years old, he is just entering his prime and has already displayed the ability to take over a game and dominate on both ends of the court. He has a unique blend of size, athleticism, and shooting ability that is rarely seen in the NBA. His career averages of 18.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks put him in elite company, as he is one of only 10 players in NBA history to average at least 18, 7 and 1.5 in those categories. With the right development and a few more seasons of consistent production, Porzingis has the potential to become one of the best players in NBA history.
Is Kristaps a Good Defender?
Defensive Ratings
Kristaps Porzingis is one of the best defenders in the NBA, according to defensive ratings. While he was still playing for the Knicks, Porzingis had a Defensive Rating of 102.7, which ranked him in the top 20 among all players.
Since coming to the Wizards, Porzingis has maintained his defensive rating of 102.7, and he is currently ranked in the top 10 among all centers in the league. He is also ranked in the top five among all power forwards in the league.
Defensive Rebounding
Despite his height, Porzingis is an excellent rebounder on the defensive end. In 2019-2020, he averaged 6.5 defensive rebounds per game. This was the highest among all centers in the league and ranked him in the top five among all power forwards.
His ability to grab defensive rebounds helps the Wizards get extra possessions and helps them get out in transition and score quickly.
Blocks and Steals
Porzingis is also an excellent shot-blocker and a solid defender when it comes to steals. During the 2019-2020 season, he averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. His blocks are particularly valuable, as they often turn into fast break opportunities for the Wizards.
His ability to block shots and get steals allows the Wizards to get easy baskets and disrupt opposing offenses.
Intangibles
In addition to his defensive stats, Porzingis brings intangibles that make him a great defender. He has a great basketball IQ and he is always aware of where the ball is and where his opponents are. He is always in the right position to make a play and he is constantly communicating with his teammates on the court.
His ability to read the game and make adjustments on the fly make him an invaluable defensive asset for the Wizards.
Overall Impact
Overall, Porzingis is an excellent defender. His defensive ratings, rebounding, blocks and steals all make him a great defender. He also brings intangibles that make him even more valuable. His presence on the court allows the Wizards to put forth a better defensive effort, which leads to more wins.
His impact on the team is undeniable and it is clear that he is having a positive impact on the defensive end.
To Recap
The stats speak for themselves: Kristaps Porzingis is one of only ten players in NBA history to average at least 18 points, 7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. This puts him in rare air statistically, and it is clear that he is a force to be reckoned with.
With his skill set and athleticism, Porzingis is a legitimate star in the NBA and will likely continue to be for years to come.
