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Porzingis on Rose: 'He's still got it'

Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Derrick Rose's play may have slipped considerably since his MVP season in 2011, but New York Knicks big man Kristaps Porzingis is still expecting a huge year from his new teammate.

"How explosive he is and everything, he's still got it," Porzingis told ESPN's Ian Begley. "He's still Derrick Rose. And so it will be exciting to play with him. He draws so much attention when he's driving he's so dangerous that I'm going to be wide open, and that's what I'm looking forward to. He's going to be creating for me and other teammates."

With Rose and newcomers Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee now on the Knicks' roster, Porzingis could possibly see a reduction in his touches going forward - a scenario the Latvian power forward has no issue with as long as New York is victorious.

"If we can win games, it doesn't matter who is scoring," Porzingis said. "If we as a team can win (it doesn't) matter who is taking how many shots, at least for me. So if we all have that same mentality then we're going to be fine ... It's just as simple as that."

After adding two former All-Stars to the roster this summer, the Knicks certainly have the talent to make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference should they stay healthy.

New York will begin their season on Oct. 25 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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