New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis has transformed from an unheralded draftee last June to a darling of the crowd for NY Knicks fans.
The play he's putting up has been unexpected at the same time superb in every ways. He is averaging 13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds along with 2 blocks per game. That stat line enabled him to bag the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for November, along with Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns.
It is no secret that he is one of the most beloved sports personality in the city of New York right now and Knicks president Phil Jackson knows just why so many adores Porzingis.
"There's the magical element to this young man that has caught the admiration, I think, of the fan base here in New York City and people around the country that do follow the Knicks," Jackson said on Sirius XM NBA Radio via CBS Sports. "In seeing this guy he's got the right temperament, the right attitude, carries himself well."
His calm demeanor is one of the most redeeming qualities of the Latvian rookie as fans won't see him complaining at all.
"He's still not getting the calls, he's still getting some calls, doesn't seem to have that issue with referees or protest or get upset. He seems to have a very calm, balanced nature about his game. You know, it's a learning process. I see growth almost from game to game and that's really the ticket you look at as you watch a young player."
He also noted that getting dunked on by Dwight Howard was something he just shrugged off but the rookie sure wants to get back at the Houston Rockets center when they play again.
"The other day they made a big thing about Howard dunking over the top of him. That's ridiculous," Jackson said. "Everybody gets dunked on in the NBA game. But he seems to just laugh it off, come back. He's obviously a lightning rod to our fan corps because you can't hide him. He stands out in a crowd, there's no doubt about it."
