Dirk Nowitzki: Kristaps Porzingis 'is for real'
Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks hits a three-point shot against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Kristaps Porzingis has shown he can execute the "Dream Shake" in the post, a move that Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon mastered. Now Porzingis wants to add Dirk Nowitzki's patented step-back jumper to his repertoire.
"I still got to work on it," Porzingis said. "That's a shot that I want to take from Dirk and learn how he does it, how he gets that separation. It's unguardable. I still got to work on it. I still got to work on a lot of things. But that's one of the things I want to add to my game."
Nowitzki, whom Porzingis has been compared to most often, recently had some high praise for the Knicks rookie. The NBA's best European import said the 7-3 Latvian "is for real" in an interview with ESPN.com. "He is long. He is athletic. He is tough. He's got a touch. He can put it on the floor. He is for real," Nowitzki said. "Sky's the limit."
Said Porzingis, "Dirk Nowitzki is a legend. I can only learn from him and try to be at his level one day. But he's probably the greatest European player ever to play in the NBA. Those are nice words coming out of his mouth.''
Defensive Anthony
Carmelo Anthony has said he wants the coaches to call him out if he's not doing the right things, particularly on defense. He says they haven't, though -- because he's not giving them a reason to do it.
Anthony might be defending more consistently than he ever has as a Knick. "Just putting a little more effort and concentration on that side of the ball and just knowing that our team, they follow my lead out there," he said.
Fast breaks
Joining Houston's Dwight Howard (rest) on the sideline: Patrick Beverly (sprained ankle), Donatas Motiejunas (lower back pain) and Sam Dekker (back surgery). . . . The Rockets entered the game attempting a league-high 32.7 three-pointers per game and were last in percentage. They had missed more three-pointers (303) than 16 teams had taken. The Knicks continue this four-game trip Monday in Miami against the Heat.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
