Kristaps Porzingis is fine. And the defeat of the Wizards last night (121-111 once morest Indiana) will not change anything. Since his arrival in Washington, the interior has blossomed like never before. The matches are (almost) all played, the stats are looking good, and the attitude of DC’s new unicorn is reassuring for the future.
How long have we been waiting for the famous “full season of Kristaps Porzingis”?
The latter is for the moment an urban legend, a myth, in the same way as the dragons, the “title for Chris Paul” or the unicorns. And speaking of unicorns, here is a straight out of Latvia that delights basketball fans in Washington.
At 27, a player can be considered to be entering his prime, and that is precisely what friend Kristaps seems to be doing at this very moment.
I only missed 1 game this season.
I average 22.1 points (2nd best career average), and 32.5 minutes (2nd best career).
I attempt 7 shots per game (personal record).
And I add 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per night.
I am ?
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) December 10, 2022
I am, I am… the Zinger.
Yeah: counting the stats of yesterday’s match, KP6 is now recording 22,4 points, 8,8 rebonds, 2,6 assists et 1,6 block on average.
The last time Kristaps performed so well in scoring was under New York colors, just before his white season. Porzi had then been selected for the first (and only) time in the All-Star Game this season. An achievement that does not seem easy to reproduce as the competition is tough in the East today. Places are expensive and the ranking of the Wizards (11th in the East and a series of 5 defeats in progress) risks handicapping KP in the project. But we have the right to dream, right?
Bradley Beal, who we remember signed this summer the best part-timer in history often sits on the bench watching the mates play, and Porzingis seems to take advantage of his star’s absences to shine. We feel the Latvian at ease – we suspect the beard to play a role in this story – and frankly it’s nice to see.
Even in defense, a sector where the interior of the Balkans was previously criticized, in particular for a lack of mobility or defensive intensity, the progress is obvious.
Wes Unseld Jr seems to have found the perfect use for Godzingis, who can finally use his immense size to protect the circle, while avoiding switching to opposing guards as much as possible. And the results are clear: the unicorn from the capital is among the 10 best blockers in the League this season, ahead of Clint Capela, Rudy Gobert and Joel Embiid, among others. His inside duo with Kyle Kuzma performs surprisingly well in both halves, much to the delight of Wizards fans.
Today 3rd in scoring among the NBA pivots (behind Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic), Porzingis displays great consistency, with no match under 10 units, and recurring double-doubles. Author of a superb match with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks yesterday, KP6 achieved the perfect first half in Indianapolis:
A perfect first half for Porzingis. ♨️ pic.twitter.com/u9TeWNzev8
— theScore (@theScore) December 10, 2022
Kristaps Porzingis is finding regularity on the NBA courts, finally flourishing in an environment that suits him, so we can only be happy for the now bearded unicorn from Washington and wish him an injury-free season… And why not even, if the planets align, a second star to add to his list.
