Ewing, a Hornets associate coach, said the 7-foot-3 Latvian is the new-age big man.

“The game has changed now,’’ Ewing said before the Knicks’ 95-93 loss to the Hornets in which Porzingis was a tick late from being a buzzer-beating hero. “Most of the big people — he’s a perimeter big. When I played, the bigs [at] 7-3, you’d be in the blocks. But he has a versatile game. His game is suited to how the NBA is right now. He’s doing a very good job. He’s not just shooting jump shots, he’s getting in there. He’s not just a finesse big man.’’

Porzingis’ reputed jump shot isn’t falling on some nights but his posterizing putback dunks have caught Ewing’s attention.

“I’ve seen the dunks on ESPN,’’ Ewing said. “From what I’ve seen, he’s doing extremely well. A lot of great putback dunks. He’s a lot different than me. He’s more of a perimeter big. I could post it and shoot it. But he looks like a fine addition. He’s a force to be reckoned with.’’

So how did he tell his Hornets to keep Porzingis off the glass and getting onto a poster? Ewing admitted he’s “an outstanding offensive rebounder.’’

“You have to hit him before he starts going,’’ Ewing said. “That’s the only way to stop him. The man is 7-3. If you don’t hit him before he hits paint and he gets his full head of steam, he’s going to go over the top of you.’’

Ewing told The Post in preseason the better comparison for Porzingis is not Dirk Nowitzki but Kevin Garnett.

Versatile is the key word Ewing used. KP shouldn't relegated to the block...he should be used all over the floor. Post, mid post, the wing, top of the key, etc.

His jumper isn't quite wet yet from downtown, but once it is....

Really if used correctly, his shots are unblockable. The times he lost handle or got stripped was when he was backing down his man in the paint, then a guard or big would swipe it away. He's simply not strong enough to establish post position yet.

Let's run plays for him as a face up player in the 15-18 ft range ala Garnett. KG was unblockable at 6'11 and KP is as well. KP also has that same all around 2 way game that KG has, as well as the "nasty" gene.

Good call Patrick!

ChuckBuck wrote:

mreinman wrote:don't see Garnett and I don't think that it is imperative that we see / compare him to anyone.

Check it.

Mirror image of Kristaps game minus the 3 pt range.

KP has a natural stroke the KG did not have.

ChuckBuck wrote:

mreinman wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:

mreinman wrote:don't see Garnett and I don't think that it is imperative that we see / compare him to anyone.

Check it.

Mirror image of Kristaps game minus the 3 pt range.

KP has a natural stroke the KG did not have.

Forget the minutiae of shooting stroke. Look at the body type, natural athleticism, and instinctive play.

Similarities are there but there still is no real true comp.

Max Headroom?

ChuckBuck wrote:

mreinman wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:

mreinman wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:

mreinman wrote:don't see Garnett and I don't think that it is imperative that we see / compare him to anyone.

Check it.

Mirror image of Kristaps game minus the 3 pt range.

KP has a natural stroke the KG did not have.

Forget the minutiae of shooting stroke. Look at the body type, natural athleticism, and instinctive play.

Similarities are there but there still is no real true comp.

Max Headroom?

One better. KP is 5 years

Raise ... all in

What is his ceiling? To transform the human race to a higher entity and begin to touch on the human brain's unused capacity? Is that too high?
To bring mankind to better understand that we don't define ourselves by comparison of culture, race or religion, but to transform the human spirit as one, and only one?
Is that asking too much?
We are not waiting for the Rapture or a cleansing Jihad, but an enlightenment to the next power of human achievement!

Phil drafted this kid not for the knicks, but for humanity.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Knixkik wrote:They can be similar in that they impact the game on both ends. Similar build as well. KG was more athletic and a better passer. KP is taller and a better shooter. There's no real comparison, but if KP fulfills his potential, his statline may look more like KG than Dirk on a year-to-year basic because of the rebounding and shot-blocking ability.

I agree. I see a guy who will be able to be anchor on both sides of the ball. They also have unblock able short to midrange jumpers and the ability to drive out of the high and midpost. KP has a nice stroke, but I don't ever see him becoming as good a shooter as Dirk. I do see him becoming threat from all over the court tho.

It will just be so hard for him to become that elite scorer that Dirk was. In his prime he put up 25-27 ppg each season. KP might never get to that point, but looks like he should average double figure rebounds for most of his career, whereas Dirk never has done that. Same with averaging a couple of blocks per game. Statistically i think his upside is very similar to Ewing or garnett, 20-22 ppg , 10-12 rebs, 2 blocks, excluding Ewing's couple of seasons in the late 80s where he scored in the high 20s. What a gift that would be.

Nalod wrote:I see a young man who has no comparison peer. I see a young man who can not only create his own category, redefine the human spirit.

What is his ceiling? To transform the human race to a higher entity and begin to touch on the human brain's unused capacity? Is that too high?
To bring mankind to better understand that we don't define ourselves by comparison of culture, race or religion, but to transform the human spirit as one, and only one?
Is that asking too much?
We are not waiting for the Rapture or a cleansing Jihad, but an enlightenment to the next power of human achievement!

Phil drafted this kid not for the knicks, but for humanity.

Spot on ;_)

nixluva wrote:It all depends on how much stronger he gets and if he perfects a few post moves like Kevin McHale of Olajuwon. If he adds that ability it's a new ballgame.

True. I didn't watch NBA for last 10 years because it is somewhat primitive, selfish streetball display. Caramel is a natural for this league. It denotes the best players in the world playing primitive ballgame. Now I am inevitably set to watch KP and his degradation for max deal's sake. What is wrong with this league where PNR is a top intellectual accomplishment?

Nalod wrote:I see a young man who has no comparison peer. I see a young man who can not only create his own category, redefine the human spirit.

What is his ceiling? To transform the human race to a higher entity and begin to touch on the human brain's unused capacity? Is that too high?
To bring mankind to better understand that we don't define ourselves by comparison of culture, race or religion, but to transform the human spirit as one, and only one?
Is that asking too much?
We are not waiting for the Rapture or a cleansing Jihad, but an enlightenment to the next power of human achievement!

Phil drafted this kid not for the knicks, but for humanity.