Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t decided yet if he’ll play for the Latvian National Team this summer, but admitted he is leaning toward staying in New York to work with the Knicks coaching staff.
“For the most of the offseason I will be in New York, working out,” Porzingis said Tuesday morning, according to Newsday’s Al Iannazzone. “I know we have great coaches. We have Kurt [Rambis]. We have Phil [Jackson]. To learn from those guys, that’s fundamental for me, especially my first offseason.”
“There’s a lot of stuff I have to work on and I think they have the idea pretty clear on what they want me to work on. So it will be a big offseason for me.”
Porzingis will miss Tuesday night’s regular-season finale against the Indiana Pacers because of a strained right shoulder. His rookie year ends with him averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.
As for playing in the Olympics, Porzingis says he needs some time to think about it. From Marc Berman of the New York Post:
Latvia placed Porzingis on its extended roster. Porzingis says he wants a few more days to sit down with family and think about it, but conceded skipping the Olympic play may be the best route. Porzingis will meet with Jackson, Rambis and GM Steve Mills in an exit meeting Thursday.
“Soon I’ll really sit down with my family, my brother Janis and make that decision,’’ Porzingis said. “Of course the organization, they’re the people I have to listen to, and I’ll sit down and make a decision.
“No. 1 is the team. Obviously I want to represent my country and Latvia, but I have to be smart about it. I have to listen to the people who are important. I haven’t decided 100 percent yet. I’ll sit down, calm, and make a decision.”
If Porzingis does skip the Olympics, he stands a better chance of making an even greater leap from Year 1 to Year 2. His first season was impressive, to say the least, but there are areas that need improving. It’s a good start for the 20-year-old, but he can do better.
