Many New York Knicks fans weren't happy when they selected Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft, and it is kind of hard to blame them. Yes he is more than 7 feet tall, a supposed good shooter and athletic, but Knicks fans wanted a star from college, or what some would call a "sure thing." After the selection, many called Porzingis a project that could take about three years to develop into a very good NBA player, which worked in direct contrast of Phil Jackson's stated plan to make the Knicks a contender as soon as possible.
The latest news on Porzingis isn't going to make Knicks fans any happier. Porzingis reportedly has a hip issue (that he suffered before the draft) and has yet to decide whether he will play in the summer league, according to the New York Post.
Porzingis claims that the issue is "nothing serious," but it is still something to look for, especially when you're a franchise like the Knicks that can't wait to start winning again. The good news for Knicks fans in all of this is that the Latvian seven footer is on the roster, according to ESPN New York. That makes his chances of playing better, and the Knicks have said all along that they do expect him to play in the summer league.
On the surface, whether he plays in the summer league really shouldn't be a big deal, but when you consider that everyone views him as a project, it is hard for fans to fathom a guy not working on his game at all times.
Porzingis at least seems to be very committed to the Knicks, as it was also reported that he would not play for Latvia in their qualifying event this month so that he could spend time working out with Knicks coaches.
It is impossible to know what kind of player Porzingis will end up being, but it seems like he has his head in the right place and is willing to work. He has been facing a lot of scrutiny since being drafted, so if he ever earns the right to not be scrutinized he will have really earned it.
