Knicks franchise player Kristaps Porzingis is down with the BurgerKingization of the NBA, where every player wants to have it his way. If Carmelo Anthony taught the young Latvian superstar anything in their two years together, its that he shouldnt trust anything that comes out of the mouth of Knicks brass.
Despite being handed the keys to the Knicks kingdom, being affirmed as the franchise building block with Melos trade to OKC and settling into his new role as King of NY basketball with some early 30 plus point efforts, dont expect Porz to follow in Melos footsteps when it comes to signing a big-money contract with the franchise to remain here.
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Otherwise, at the end of the season, he will say ‘it’s not so cool here.'” https://t.co/oOzrdGHpQl
Janis Porzingis, the agent and brother of the New York Knicks star, wants to see the direction the franchise takes before the two sides start politikin’ about a contract extension. In an interview with Sporta Avize magazine, translated by EuroHoops.net (via Latvian site Sportacentrs), Janis explained the current thought process from their side of things regarding a long-term deal with the Knicks:
“The most important question here is this: What do you really want to achieve in your career? Because moneyif Kristaps performs at least on his normal level, is gonna come. We are more focused on some other values and not just to quickly sign a new contract so we can collect the money. That’s definitely not our goal, so we won’t be feverishly counting minutes or counting points. You can’t escape the reality and the Knicks must also see that.”
Wow. So Porz has flipped the script on the Knicks and in a situation where the pressure is usually on the player to perform well and earn his max deal, Porzingis and family will be grading the Knicks throughout the season and deciding whether or not the franchise is worthy of his services. His hot start has undoubtedly fueled his brother’s bravado. Let me find out that the Knicks have gone from one supposedly “selfish” franchise player to an even bigger headache dealing with their international icon.
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Kristaps Porzingis: First Knicks player with five 30-point games in team’s first 6 games of a season
The 22-year-old Latvian is eligible for a contract extension after the 2017-18 season, and his rookie contract runs through the 2018-19 season before he can receive a qualifying offer from the Knicks.
Thats the new NBA for you. Porzingis camp has the Knicks in a choker hold right now. New York has to walk on egg shells for the next two seasons in hopes that Porzingis will re-sign with them. We already know Porz wasnt the happiest camper last season, when he skipped his exit interview with the Knicks. Rumors of Jackson publicly dangling his young star in potential trades without discussing it with Porz certainly didn’t help. It served to piss him off and sour him on the franchise a bit.
As a proud Latvian legend, Porzingis cares about his legacy and he doesnt want to be a part of a circus.
Kristaps Porzingis Mix – XO TOUR LIF3 (Motivational)
Kristaps Porzingis Mix – XO TOUR LIF3 (Motivational) Porzingod… They didnt want him, when he wanted them. He proed them all wrong. From the worst nightmare to New York’s favorite player. Porzingis is a European legend. This mix is full of Kristaps Porzingis top highlights ranging from deep three point range, to insane dunks.
Thats all the Knicks have been in recent years. Ridding themselves of Carmelo Anthony and placing the fate of the franchise with Porzingis as the building block for a new Knicks era was supposed to be the move that brought the Knicks back to respectability.
Seven games into this season, the future of the Knicks is already in doubt and every day is a delicate one for a franchise that just cant seem to get a break
