The name Kristaps Porzingis has generated a ton of excitement, awe and fascination in NBA draft circles. That's often what happens when a prospect emerges as a candidate for the one of the top five selections, and Porzingis is no different in that regard.
He's also evoked a boatload of wariness. Latvia's 7'1" star is one of the most alluring prospects to emerge from Europe in recent years, and it's only natural for stateside observers to exercise caution and skepticism since they haven't had their own firsthand look. The Association's history is littered with a multitude of disappointing or failed European acquisitions.
For every Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol or Tony Parker, there are a handful of international arrivals who don't stick, fall miles short of expectations or don't join at all. Names like Darko Milicic, Andrea Bargnani and Fran Vazquez are sobering examples.
Porzingis won't likely achieve the stratosphere of Nowitzki, but he's worth a top-five selection. He'll not only survive in the NBA, he'll flourish rather than flop.
He's still a teenager (19 years old), and he' ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Daniel O'Brien
The Case for Kristaps Porzingis as a Top-5 Pick in the 2015 NBA Draft
June 2nd, 2015 by Daniel O'Brien Leave a reply »
Advertisement