Thunder considered taking Kristaps Porzingis . . . in 2014
Kristaps Porzingis of Latvia speaks to the media after being drafted with the #4 overall pick by the New York Knicks during the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 25, 2015. Credit: Mike Stobe
The Thunder reportedly was high on Kristaps Porzingis long before the Knicks had any interest in him.
Porzingis declared for the 2014 draft, and ESPN reported that Oklahoma City promised to take him in the first round. The Thunder had the 21st and 29th picks. But Porzingis pulled his name out of the draft. Now he's off to a strong start after the Knicks took him fourth in June.
"He's got great size," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "He's skilled. He can shoot the ball. He puts it on the floor. He creates a lot of different dimensions for their team. Certainly with Carmelo [Anthony] being out there and him drawing so much attention, it's probably opened up things for him to showcase things that he can do."
Call him Rook
Porzingis doesn't like "Zinger." Anthony confirmed that and said he calls him "KP" or "Rook." Kenyon Martin called Anthony "Rook" in Denver, and still does. "When I see Kenyon Martin, wherever I'm at, he always calls me 'Rook,' even now to this day," Anthony said. "Certain people, it sticks with you. He's going to always be 'Rook' to me. KP will stick Rook."
Fallen stars
Kevin Durant (strained left hamstring) was sidelined against the Knicks for the third straight time on Friday night. He hasn't faced them since the 2013-14 season.
Dwight Howard could be out when the Knicks face the Rockets on Saturday night. They are expected to rest him for the second game of a back-to-back.
Local hero
Donovan, who's from Rockville Centre, called his 44-game stint as a Knick in 1987-88 "a very, very short cup of coffee. I don't know if it was half a cup."
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
