About the nickname. No, mostly people are calling him by his first name. But there are people who are catching all that stuff that is flying around. (Godzingis, Porzingod, etc :D )
So here is the interview I was talking about.
If I remember correctly, it was taken after the game against SAS.
Source: http://sportacentrs.com/sportacentrs_tv/04112015-porzingi_nujorka_viens_par_visiem_visi_pa
How did you guys came to conclusion about living all three together here in New York?
We are actually living as five here (He is reffering to Kristaps parents also live here). And the reason we are doing it, is simple - we love to spend our time togather - and while doing it, if we can help Kristaps with our work, its an easy decision.
So what about your life, guys? Was it hard to left it all behinde?
It actually wasn't, its a next step for us. Kristaps needs help, and why should we hire some people from aside, if we can do that same work, and also be together.
As I understand, Krispats life is a priority now, for the family?
His life isn't. His career is.
So what is your job here guys?
For now we are just testing the water, its also all new for us. But in the future Mārtiņš(first brother) will be handling all the media stuff.
Is there a feeling that Kristaps is more than a basketball player, but also a brand?
Yeah, there is. More people are interested in him, more want something from him. But that is why we are here. So he shouldn't worry about that. He just wants to play.
How about the future, can you guys give us a little projection where will Kristaps be, in 5, 10 or 15 years?
I don't like to speculate. Of course we have in our minds where we wanna Kristaps to be, and we will work towards that. But I will not say anything. ;)
What about those first four games, did they change your thoughts about Kristaps game?
Absolutely not. We always knew what he is capable off. The thing was, a lot of people actually din't see him play. And don't know him as well as we do. So they were a bit surprised.
What is that one most beneficial thing for Kristaps in all this situation with his family always beeing with him, what is that one thing he needs the most?
The one thing he needs the most right now, is that he wouldn't need to think about anything besides playing. And right now everything is organized like that, so he isn't doing anything else. Because someteimes if he needs to, he gets a little nervouse, to put it lightly. :D
Do you guys help him mentally a lot too?
Just a little bit, he is very strong. Sometimes you need to show him the right way, but after that, he can do it on his own.
So much happened to him in the last year or so, how is he handling it overall? New big city, attention, interviews. Did that change something is his personality?
No at all. He was getting prepared. Jānis(other brother) worked with him, so he knows how to behave, what to say. And the fact that he already played pro ball in Europe for the last 3 years, helped a lot too. He knows how to interact with fans, its not like he just graduated from highschool.
Jānis: Yeah, I did some work. But, you know, how it works. There are two guys, who are coached by the same coach. First one becomes a star, and other one does not learn anything. You have to have it in you. And Kristaps has.
Did Kristaps really handles it with calmness it seems he does?
Yes, he is pretty calm. Of course there were some small things. First game in MSG, when he shot his first shot and it was an airball. He doesn't shoot those.. But then after 5 minutes of play, he was ok. And now we watched the game vs SAS, you can see there is no sign of nervousness or anything.
Weren't there any unpleasant situation?
Basiicly not, of coruse there was some arguments, but nothing serious.
At the draft, though. That rythm was a little bit harsh, Kristaps actually lost some weight, around 10 pounds actually, with all that rushing around. He had so many interviews, everyone wants something from him. He got a very little sleep. Now he got all that weight back.
New York, there is a saying that this is a city where for a player, its very hard to prove your self? Kristaps was boo`ed at the draft night. Have you came across any other craziness or negativity towards Kristaps?
Nop, I can't recall anything.
But that doesn't matter, like someone said, I think it was actually Kristaps. That if someone wants to say something positive, he will approach to you and say it, but all the negative things people tend to keep to themselves.
So, no, we heard nothing negative towards him.
Right now, people, even if there were doubters at first, changed there mind, seeing how well is he playing.
I don't think its because he is puuting up numbers. Because you can see it in him, how he fights, how he plays with heart. I don't think people here are that bad. ;)
Yeah, they talk about Bargnani.. But did you saw him play? Everyone would go crazy watching him.. I don't know what happened to him, he doesn't want to play or what.. But thats like night and day comparing what Kristaps does.
The last game (game against SAS), was my first game, but it is just me, or I thought Kristaps was getting more avations than Melo?
Yeah, I think so.
You know, even in the first game, when Melo and Kristaps were the last ones to be introduced, I thought they were getting pretty much the same amount of applause. Its nice to see that people love him.
So rivalry with Melo? ;) Isn't it like to much for a young kid like him?
There isn't a rivalry. He is just doing his job. You don't need to play worse, so you are afraid you will step on someones head. If sometime, he proves with his play, he is a 1st string on this team, he will be.
We tried to talk about speculations about how far can Kristaps go, and how good he can be. I know you guys didn't want to be specific, but there are so many talks surrounding his ceiling. so maybe you can give us a little bit from yourself?
He is unique. With his frame, and what can he do with it. There are just no comparison.
All great players, in his position. They all have one or two things they are really great at.
For Kristaps, at the moment, you just can't tell which will be those one or two abilities. He is great with so many things.
And talking about comparisons, there are a lot of athletic players in his position, but they are not so good of a shooters, and those who are good shooters, are not so athletic. So its hard to find one. And they are all often shorter than him too.
The main thing for him, is to stay healthy.
So in the end, were there any moments when even you guys were surprised, the guys who know him so well?
Acutally, no. Yea, there were moments when even we jumped on our feet, but thats more becauses of emotions.
We have so strong believe in him, that everything he does, we still think he can do, and will do better.
11/20/2015 1:08 PM
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