Porzingis predicts he'll make All-Star debut this season
Kristaps Porzingis feels ready to make a leap in his NBA career.
The New York Knicks power forward shared an Instagram photo Friday, indicating in the caption that he sees himself earning his first All-Star nod in 2017-18.
That's certainly on the table, as the Knicks see the versatile 22-year-old Latvian as the franchise cornerstone they can build around, especially after the apparently imminent departure of veteran All-Star Carmelo Anthony.
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Porzingis was drafted fourth overall in 2015 by New York, and made the All-Rookie team in his first season. He improved across the board last year, posting averages of 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, two blocks, and 1.5 assists while shooting 45 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from deep.
The Knicks' lone bright spot last season, The Unicorn's talent and production have not gone unnoticed. Among Eastern Conference frontcourt players, Porzingis finished fifth in player voting, sixth in media voting, and seventh in fan voting as a sophomore.
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In addition to his continued growth as a player and becoming the No. 1 option on the squad in the post-Anthony era (whenever that actually begins), there's another factor that will help Porzingis' All-Star bid. Several "locks" for the East All-Star squad have migrated West this offseason - including Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and Paul Millsap.
Porzingis has participated in All-Star weekend events before, playing in the Rising Stars Challenge as a rookie and sophomore, and winning the Skills Challenge last year.
When the 2018 ASG rolls around in February at Staples Center, he hopes he'll be in the lineup for the main event.