In New York, everything is over-the-top.
Kristaps Porzingis has been playing consistently well for the Knicks, and the Knicks can’t help but appreciate their young star. Porzingis’ nickname, “The Unicorn,” has become a household reference for Knicks fans and, with that, the Knicks organization took the appellation to a new and higher level.
Courtesy Twitter
A Unicorn statue now graces Madison Square Garden. Writing on the statue urges fans to act: Kristaps Porzingis #NBAVote.
Porzingis talked about the statue during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “At first I was a little confused,” Porzingis told Fallon. “What is it? A horse with a ponytail? What does it mean? They explained it to me.”
Credit Kevin Durant with the nickname. Durant was reportedly impressed by Porzingis’ skill set, consistent shooting capability, and his 7’3’’ frame. “He (Durant) tried to say I was a unique player,” is how Porzingis explained it. “It was nice to hear [Durant] say nice things about me.”
But no matter what he’s called, Porzingis is producing big-time on the court. As of 1/3/18 he’s averaging 23.8 ppg, (leads team), 6.7 rpg, 1.2 apg, and has a 43.9 FG percentage.
Those are all-star numbers, for sure, perhaps even captain status numbers. With new all-star voting rules in effect, the top vote-getter in each division becomes team captain and, with that designation, the captain gets to pick the rest of the division’s all-star team using fan votes as a frame of reference.
That’s probably why the Knicks decided to give Porzingis a boost. And, of course, everything is over the top in The Big Apple.
And why not go large? Porzingis is a huge reason behind the Knicks’ long-awaited resurrection.
__________
Sources: Slam Magazine, Basketball-Reference.com, New York Post
