Knicks Insider: Patrick Ewing's advice for Kristaps Porzingis

EWING'S ADVICE

Knicks great Patrick Ewing knows what Kristaps Porzingis is feeling -- to a point.

When he became the first overall pick in 1985, Ewing was viewed as the Knicks' immediate savior. Porzingis was taken fourth and still is developing. But the Knicks hope he will grow into their franchise player, a role Carmelo Anthony still holds.

Porzingis has impressed Ewing, but the Hornets' associate head coach said he needs to block out everything and just focus on improving.

"In New York, everything you do is under a microscope," Ewing said. "So you have to develop thick skin. Also the fans, they feel that they know the game and how you should be playing. They're going to make their feelings known."

Ewing didn't think it was a big deal that Porzingis got booed when he was drafted.

"He can't worry about that," Ewing said. "He's a Knick. All he has to do now is go out there and prove his worth."

So far, so good.

MORE PORZINGIS PRAISE

Raptors coach and former Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey sees some Dirk Nowitzki in Porzingis. That's a popular comparison because both are jump-shooting big men. But Porzingis appears to be more physical and more of an inside presence and rebounder than Nowitzki.

"He's going to be a big-time player," Casey said. "He has a lot of potential, a lot of range for a guy his size. All he has to do is keep living, just keep getting older.''

Casey then brought up "a skinny kid from Germany" named Nowitzki who he thought was "going to be all right."

"Now he's a Hall of Fame player," Casey said. "I don't know if Porzingis is going to be that way. But he has that type of potential to be a big-time shooter. He's fearless. His length helps him in the rebounding. The sky's the limit."

FAST BREAKS

DeAndre Jordan, who famously flip-flopped over the summer and spurned the Mavericks to re-sign with the Clippers, was booed early and often in his first game in Dallas on Wednesday night. How early? As soon as Jordan got on the team bus. Longtime Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler booed him to prepare him.

One sign at the game read, "42% FT shooter 100% coward." A Dallas newspaper also ran a cut-out picture of Jordan with devil horns that fans brought.

Zaza Pachulia, whom Dallas signed after Jordan reneged, made two foul shots late to give the Mavericks the lead for good. Afterward, coach Rick Carlisle, with a not-so-subtle jab, said, "Our guy's a 90 percent free-throw shooter . . . and we love him."

The mix of people and personalities in Sacramento -- George Karl, Demarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, owner Vivek Randive and first-time GM Vlade Divac -- is going to lead to turmoil. The only thing that can help the Kings' situation is winning. But if things continue down this path -- Cousins reportedly cursed out Karl in front of the team recently -- someone's going to go. It'll be either Karl or Cousins.

Kenny Atkinson, a former Knicks assistant and St Anthony's High School standout, served as the Hawks' coach Friday night with Mike Budenholzer dealing with a family emergency. Atlanta lost to the Celtics.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.