New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis Congratulates Dirk on Reaching 30,000 Points
Dec 7, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis congratulated Dirk Nowitzki on becoming the sixth NBA player to score 30,000 regular-season points.

On Tuesday night, Dirk Nowitzki added another milestone to his Hall of Fame career when he reached 30,000 regular-season points. Dirk did it in vintage Dirk fashion, with a fadeaway over a helpless defender.

Many people around the league thanked the 7-foot German and one of them was New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis.

When Porzingis entered the NBA two years ago he drew immediate comparisons to former Phil Jackson player Pau Gasol.

Once we actually got a chance to see Porzingis play we realized his game was more like that of Nowitzki. It’s a narrative that the Latvian fed into by claiming Dirk was his basketball idol growing up.

Nowitzki praised Porzingis after a Nov. 2016 game when the 21-year-old busted out the classic Dirk fade than stared the legend down.

“He’s not only a 7-footer but he is like 7-4 out there with an 8-5 wingspan,” Nowitzki said. “He’s got an incredible touch. He can move. He can dribble. He can put it on the floor more now. He is going to be a great player in this league for a long, long time.”

Porzingis hopes to work out with Dirk next summer after discussing the idea this past offseason. For the Knicks’ sake hopefully, it works out.

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.