Dirk Nowitzki: Knicks' Porzingis 'is for real'
New York Knicks big man Kristaps Porzingis has become a rookie sensation over his first month in the Association, garnering accolades from coaches and peers alike, and even drawing comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki.
It turns out the future Hall of Famer, himself, has also taken notice.
"He is for real," Nowitzki told ESPN's Marc Stein about his initial impressions of the 20-year-old, Knicks freshman. "Sky's the limit."
Porzingis, the fourth-overall pick in June's NBA Draft, has averaged 12.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while starting all 12 of New York's games. And while his 41-27-84 shooting line might not seem very Dirk-like, the truth is that the Latvian product has been even better than a rookie Nowitzki was at the same age.
| Rookie Season | MPG | PPG | eFG% | Rebound Rate | PER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nowitzki (1999) | 20.4 | 8.2 | 42.6 | 9.5% | 12.8 |
| Porzingis (2015-16) | 25.3 | 12.8 | 43.9 | 18.3% | 17.9 |
Dirk will get his first up close and personal look at Porzingis when the Knicks host the Mavs on Dec. 7.