Kristaps Porzingis taking over Game 1 is why I wanted the Warriors to draft Wiseman
CAN'T TEACH HEIGHT!
PORZINGISSSSSSSS!!!!
The Latvia native brings a unique skill set to Boston's lineup with his size and shooting prowess. He's an athletic 7-foot-3 center who can get hot from long-range, protect the rim, and make plays off the dribble. He's one of a kind, and that's why you'll often hear him referred to as "The Unicorn" when you tune into C's games this season.
The nickname was given to Porzingis by 13-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant back in 2016. Porzingis, a rookie at the time with the New York Knicks, notched 15 points and five rebounds in an overtime loss to Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“He can shoot, he can make the right plays, he can defend, he’s a 7-footer that can shoot all the way out to the 3-point line,” Durant said, according to ESPN. “That’s rare. And block shots—that’s like a unicorn in this league."
— NBC Sports Boston, “Why is Kristaps Porzingis nicknamed ‘The Unicorn'?”
When I look at Kristaps Porzingis, I think about the hopes and dreams I had when the Golden State Warriors drafted the 6-foot-11 versatile big James Wiseman #2 overall 2020. Porzingis is 7-foot-2 with enough lateral quickness to glide around the court blocking shots, the shooting touch to score from anywhere on the court, and enough burst to get to the rim for ferocious dunks when the window presents itself.
Kinda like how Wiseman dunked on him here:
So when Porzingis returned from his five month absence to come off the bench in Game 1 for the Boston Celtics to absolutely dominate the Dallas Mavericks, it was impressive. He tallied 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a whole nation of Celtics fans who are believers in the Unicorn’s powers.
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN JAMES WISEMAN!!!
If the warriors wanted porzingis, they could have gotten him from the wizards. Boston got it for nothing, we could have beat that offer
IMO Kristaps Porzingis and James Wiseman are not really similar players...
Kristaps seems less mobile and a more accomplished shooter than James was when drafted.
Porzingas had Euro experience playing against adults that Wiseman did not have.
I'm not sure that JW has had the same defensive fundamentals and footwork drilled into him as KP.
KP has had several years of middling performance and injuries in the NBA and is now possibly finding his role on a team that does not rely on his "unicorn" status.
I was in favor of drafting JW and sorry the Warriors did not have the patience to see what he could have developed into.