The losses kept coming for the New York Knicks, even after every game on their schedule was finished. Though they ended the 2014-15 season with the second-worst record in the NBA (17-65), the results of May's draft lottery dropped the Knicks down to the fourth overall selection in the 2015 draft.

But despite the franchise's many struggles in recent history, any lottery pick is a rare commodity in New York. And after strip-mining his roster throughout the course of his first season as team president, Phil Jackson saw the No. 4 pick as a great opportunity to continue rebuilding the team into the winner he envisions.

The only question was who that player would be.

"When we wound up with the fourth pick, I was hemming and hawing about how to choose," Jackson says. "I knew there were several outstanding prospects that would be available, but I was focused on getting a big man. My decision was essentially made when Clarence Gaines, my primary adviser and a super scout, told me there was a game tape I had to watch. This turned out to be a Spanish League contest between [Baloncesto] Sevilla and a team from Barcelona, a game that Sevilla had to win to avoid being downgraded from Division I to Division II status."

The main player Gaines was promoting was Kristaps Porzingis, or "KP," as Jackson says he liked to be called.

"What I saw made up my mind" Jackson says.

"Although the competition in the Spanish League is more physical, more consistent and more advanced than even the best D-I college teams over here, KP more than held his own. He had a long, lively body, a well-developed basketball IQ, a soft shot with terrific range and he didn't back down from anybody. Plus, he showed an amazing athleticism for somebody his size."

Primarily powered by the heroics of Porzingis, Sevilla won the game. "The young man certainly stepped up," says Jackson.

Jackson's seconding of Gaines' endorsement was confirmed during a pair of individual workouts, as well as Porzingis' performance in the Las Vegas Summer League after the Knicks had selected him fourth overall. "He can score," says Jackson, "but his natural bent is to be a team player. On defense, he can block shots from behind and is quick enough to stay in front of guards in screen-roll situations."

Jackson projects that Porzingis will add at least 10 pounds of muscle before his first season commences, yet concerns still linger over his prize draft pick. "Like Shawn Bradley, who was nevertheless a pretty good player, KP might almost be too tall for the game. What I mean is that his core strength might never be good enough, and that he might not be able to get low enough to get himself into prime defensive position to body power rebounders or drivers."
With their highest pick since selecting Patrick Ewing first overall in 1985, the Knicks took Kristaps Porzingis. Nick Laham/Getty Images

So, then, what does Jackson foresee in Porzingis' rookie season?

"It's entirely up to [coach Derek Fisher], but it would be great if KP could get as much as 20 minutes a game early in the season, plus maybe a few more later when he's acclimated to the NBA game. It also has to be determined whether he'll be more comfortable at power forward or center."

Overall, Jackson feels that Porzingis will inevitably evolve into a star-quality player. But he feels that Jerian Grant, the 22-year-old point guard whom the Knicks obtained via a draft-day trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Tim Hardaway Jr., is more NBA-ready.

"He knows the game and has a certain flair for it," Jackson says of Grant. "He's quick, has 3-point range, knows how to pass, can break a defense down with his handle, knows how to get through screens and is comfortable getting people involved on offense."

Equally as impressive as Grant's game, Jackson says, is his demeanor. After he was declared academically ineligible for the second semester of his junior year, Grant could have moved on from Notre Dame.

"But Jerian fessed up, took his punishment and, despite being urged to make himself available in the NBA draft, went back to school," Jackson says. "To me, that reveals a lot about his character."

Jackson thinks Grant will be able to play both guard spots. "I anticipate his competing with Langston Galloway for playing time."

In their last move of the night, the Knicks traded for the 35th overall pick and selected Guillermo "Willy" Hernangomez. "Willie was a teammate of KP's with Sevilla," says Jackson," and they're best friends. I love this kid! I'd compare him to a stronger version of Luis Scola. He needs to stay in Spain for another year, as he has a contract with [Real] Madrid, but I can definitely see him becoming a solid NBA player."

And with that, Jackson's second draft, and the start of what he hopes to be a new era for the Knicks, was in the books.

"I won't give myself a grade or anything like that," he says. "All I'll say is that I'm happy with these three young men and, both sooner and later, I believe Knicks fans will have the same reaction."

In their last move of the night, the Knicks traded for the 35th overall pick and selected Guillermo "Willy" Hernangomez. "Willie was a teammate of KP's with Sevilla," says Jackson," and they're best friends. I love this kid! I'd compare him to a stronger version of Luis Scola. He needs to stay in Spain for another year, as he has a contract with [Real] Madrid, but I can definitely see him becoming a solid NBA player."

This is the part that stood out to me. We've heard praise about KP and Grant ever since the draft, but Willy has been out of sight, out of mind. Definitely some solid praise for our final pick here - Phil sounds excited about him. I'll have to try and keep tabs on him over seas this year.

Surprised that nobody brought this up from the article.

My understanding is that we only worked him out once, and that Phil saw him at the Las Vegas showing which everyone made a big deal about.

KP was in NYC before going to his Las Vegas "Pro-Day," there is a photo of him shooting in a park, and he was interviewed in a Manhattan Restaurant by a journalist.

Is it possible that we did a secret workout with him?

WaltLongmire wrote:Jackson's seconding of Gaines' endorsement was confirmed during a pair of individual workouts...

Surprised that nobody brought this up from the article.

My understanding is that we only worked him out once, and that Phil saw him at the Las Vegas showing which everyone made a big deal about.

KP was in NYC before going to his Las Vegas "Pro-Day," there is a photo of him shooting in a park, and he was interviewed in a Manhattan Restaurant by a journalist.

Is it possible that we did a secret workout with him?

BRIGGS wrote:Bland not much insight on this 1

I get the feeling someone at the Garden asked to vet these a little after some of the comments that slipped through in the earlier installments.

blkexec wrote:He might be too tall to play in the post. .....hard to gain the core strength needed to get into a low defensive stance. Phils words

And i agree....comparing him to shawn bradley.....which is an accurate comparison. This is why you dont rush a skinny 19 yr old into the post. Let him expose whatever the defense brings him......dont force him into 1 position on the court. His physical maturity will allow him to grow into a post player......right now hes a solid jump shooter with a nice hook shot. Not some double double rebounder......

What we saw in SL is what we will get. Thats why we are loaded at the 4 and 5 spot. Its for his protection. Along with phils legacy protection since KP will for ever be linked to phils knick legacy.

This is so off that I can't comment other than to say Kareem was 7-3. I know he can hit some 3s he's got a nice touch etched and he can use that. This guy extends and dunks with ease. His length and extension is his bread and butter. The touch on his shot can be used like a tim Duncan like a gasol like a Kareem. What do you guys want a 7-3 guy taking off jumping and getting hurt day -? 15 Mina game learn the post work on fundamentals.

nixluva wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Jackson's seconding of Gaines' endorsement was confirmed during a pair of individual workouts...

Surprised that nobody brought this up from the article.

My understanding is that we only worked him out once, and that Phil saw him at the Las Vegas showing which everyone made a big deal about.

KP was in NYC before going to his Las Vegas "Pro-Day," there is a photo of him shooting in a park, and he was interviewed in a Manhattan Restaurant by a journalist.

Is it possible that we did a secret workout with him?

I did notice that little comment. You may be right about that secret workout. Why he was in town at that time, I thought was a bit strange. He did this video at that time so I thought maybe it was just some promotional stuff, but now it seems Phil was being sneaky.

KP stated in one of his interviews that he had a private workout with the Knicks in NYC and Melo was there to see it. It was in one of his interviews after the draft.

WaltLongmire wrote:

KEEPCAMBYNY wrote:

nixluva wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:Jackson's seconding of Gaines' endorsement was confirmed during a pair of individual workouts...

Surprised that nobody brought this up from the article.

My understanding is that we only worked him out once, and that Phil saw him at the Las Vegas showing which everyone made a big deal about.

KP was in NYC before going to his Las Vegas "Pro-Day," there is a photo of him shooting in a park, and he was interviewed in a Manhattan Restaurant by a journalist.

Is it possible that we did a secret workout with him?

I did notice that little comment. You may be right about that secret workout. Why he was in town at that time, I thought was a bit strange. He did this video at that time so I thought maybe it was just some promotional stuff, but now it seems Phil was being sneaky.

KP stated in one of his interviews that he had a private workout with the Knicks in NYC and Melo was there to see it. It was in one of his interviews after the draft.

That was the one we were told about, where he was given a pre-draft physical and hurt his hip.

They mention 2 in the article.

Meaningless at this point, but interesting, considering Phil did a secret one with Russell, too.

anrst wrote:when he says KP's PT as a rookie is "entirely up to fisher" i hope he's lying.

we can't let Fisher mess with the kids development by yanking around his minutes with his inconsistent rotation decisions.

"It's entirely up to [coach Derek Fisher], but it would be great if KP could get as much as 20 minutes a game early in the season, plus maybe a few more later when he's acclimated to the NBA game. It also has to be determined whether he'll be more comfortable at power forward or center."

this ^^^ needs to be mandated to Fisher. And I tend to think it will be .... i hope so.

Im going to guess that phil throws in "coach fisher" to make sure that this is not 100% "The phil show". But the reality is if the kid can handle the minutes but also keep him from hitting the wall and keep from bad injury. Rush a kid you can break him.

Typical is they hold him back and when he does break out, its "fish" that kept him down!!! Sometimes the best thing is let a kid earn the time, get into shape and get ready. When he breaks out its because of those factors, not that he was held down.