Porzingis happier at power forward than center

Outside of his skill set, one of the reasons Kristaps Porzingis is called a "unicorn" is his 7-foot-3 height and 7-foot-6 wingspan. In other words, the prototype for an NBA center if there ever was one.

Just one thing: He'd rather play power forward.

"I think it's better for us, me at the four," Porzingis said, according to the Daily News' Stefan Bondy. "Especially if I'm playing against a non-shooting four, I can do a lot. When I'm playing against the five, I'm fighting with the big a lot of times and I'm wasting a lot of energy. Obviously, offensively I have an advantage at center, but I'm just more comfortable playing at the four."

There's logic to what Porzingis is saying. Grappling in the post with the Rudy Goberts and Dwight Howards of the world takes a toll physically, especially on a skinny 240-pound frame.

What Porzingis may be forgetting, however, is the game's current shift away from traditional centers. While it's clear Porzingis lacks a dominant post game so far, he makes up for it on the perimeter and in other areas.

"Fours are usually smaller, and I can shoot over them easier," Porzingis said. "If it's a non-shooter at power forward, then I can be under the rim on defense and protecting the rim and that's what I love."

Porzingis was fifth in the league in blocks per game last season, but hasn't moved the Knicks' needle defensively when at center. That figures to continue regardless of his position, with the likes of Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott sharing floor time with him.

In terms of guarding power forwards, there are less and less non-shooting fours in the NBA, and the game is more situational than ever. The old basketball adage that "you are who you guard" ought to hold true for Porzingis.