The New York Knicks and fourth overall draft pick Kristaps Porzingis got off to a great start in the summer league, winning their first three games in impressive fashion. In their most recent game, though, the Knicks were blown out and Porzingis put up his first clunker. The 7-foot-3 forward shot 3-10 from the field and wasn't as active as he had been in the previous three games. The reason for this bad performance was likely fatigue, according to the New York Post.
Porzingis was used to playing about two games a week in Europe. However, the Knicks played four games in six days in the summer league, and it finally caught up to the 19-year-old, as he reportedly hit a wall. Porzingis' numbers didn't tail off too much in game three, but his activity did on the defensive side of the ball. Derek Fisher has said that he might hold Porzingis out of the summer league finale, as he doesn't think the risk is worth taking.
Porzingis is not injured, which is a great thing for Knicks fans, but the fact that he is fatigued after only four games has to raise some sort of concern. NBA teams usually play three or four games a week, and there are several times a season when teams play on back-to-back nights. If Porzingis' fatigue issue isn't solved before the season starts, it could cause problems for the Knicks. As the number four overall pick in the most recent draft, the Knicks are expecting Porzingis to be a force every night, not just on some nights.
While this issue could last a little longer than Knicks fans want it to, it shouldn't be something to panic about just yet. This is the first time that it has happened, and Porzingis still has plenty of time to get in better shape so he can handle a full 82 game schedule, and he doesn't seem too worried about it.
"That's how the NBA schedule is. I've got to get used to it. I'm young. I don't think it'll be a problem. I just have to prepare for it mentally, be ready to go out every night and compete and have the same energy for the game," Porzingis said.
Porzingis also said he hasn't fully adjusted to the game yet, but he has proven so far that he has a chance to make an impact in the NBA. The Knicks have to be happy with their pick at number four so far, even though it is extremely early. He is a tall, long player who should at the very least effect opponents' shots on defense, but he has also proven he can get to the line and make some free throws at a solid clip. It is now up to the Knicks' training staff to get the Latvian in shape so he can show during the regular season what he can do against top NBA competition.
