The sad thing is that the tank job wouldn’t be so depressing if Philly fans knew Porzingis would be stroking deep threes here for the next 15-years.
The Philadelphia 76ers opted to draft Jahlil Okafor with the third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, allowing the New York Knicks and Phil Jackson to select the big man from Latvia.
Porzingis and Okafor squared off for the first time on Friday night, but all Porzingis could really feel was relief that he landed in New York City.
“That would be tough,’’ he said at Knicks shootaround Friday morning, via the New York Post. “That’s basketball sometimes. Losing like that is very tough. I’ve been on a losing team last season, the first part of the season. It’s really tough. The negativity is always there. It’s not a good feeling. You mentally grow as you go through those tough times.’’
The Knicks have surrounded Porzingis with veteran talent, and he’s never been happier to be on a 12-14 team than he is today.
“I’m in a really good situation,’’ Porzingis said. “Having veterans around me to help me out on and off the court. He’s in a tough situation. I’m sure he’ll find a way to make his team win and get better as a player and how to be smarter off the court.’’