The NBA Summer League is here, and you know what that means: time for hyperbole and lofty expectations for the rookies.
The Knicks may have surprised everyone by selecting Latvian big man Krisaps Porzingis with their first round pick, but James Worthy feels that NY has found a gem.
“He’s a freak of nature. He’s a combination of Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant,” the Hall of Famer posited, per Marc Berman of the New York Post. “It’s a good pick for the Knicks.”
The two key factors to remember here are 1) Porzingis is only 19 years old and a long way away from becoming as great as either of those two men and 2) the Knicks have only played 2 Summer League games.
Granted, 12 points in 18 minutes against the Spurs IS an impressive feat- I just think it may be time to pump the brakes on such comparisons, otherwise they’re doomed to disappoint their loyal fanbase once again.
James Worthy may have forgotten more about basketball than I will ever know in my life; but I do know that setting expectations too high can be crushing to a teenage prospect. Especially one thats coming from another country and was widely boo’d when selected in the draft.
H/T BleacherReport