Kristaps Porzingis is one of the leading vote-getters for the All-Star Game despite his recent struggles. He is going to need to improve on his recent play if the New York Knicks are going to stop their recent slide in the standings.
The New York Knicks have lost six of their last seven and are falling further and further away from a possible playoff spot. The team is currently 18-20 and a loss Friday night would put the Knicks at three games below .500 for the first time since they started the season with three straight losses.
The Knicks are hoping that Kristaps Porzingis can find his form again. He has struggled with injuries and fatigue this season and it looks like he’s starting to break down physically. He’s only played in 32 of the team’s 38 games and is starting to cite physical fatigue for his dip in performance.
Per ESPN’s Ian Begley, Porzingis said, “I’m tired. I’m so tired right now.” KP is only 22 and still needs to grow into his body. This should come with time, but for now, the Knicks are scrambling to replace the scoring provided by Porzingis at the beginning of the season.
Kristaps Porzingis thought both he & the rest of NYK were fatigued vs. WAS. “I’m so tired right now.” – https://t.co/kG7dZBARcT
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 4, 2018
All-Star Voting
Multiple Knicks have found themselves in the top ten in Eastern Conference All-Star voting for frontcourt players. Porzingis is fourth place in voting with a realistic chance at being voted in as a starter. Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James are leading the voting by a wide margin, nearly doubling KP and third place vote-getter, Joel Embiid’s totals. KP is currently around 74,000 votes away from catching Embiid.
Enes Kanter is also in the top 10 vote-getters for frontcourt players in the Eastern Conference. Unlike Porzingis, Kanter has no realistic shot at being voted in as a starter. His chances of making the team at all are slim but regardless, it is nice for fans to take notice as he is having a career year.
Fans can vote via Twitter using #NBAVote and including the player’s first and last name.
First voting results are in! @kporzee needs only 75k votes to join the starters. Vote at https://t.co/ky3b9DeWiA NOW and make your vote count twice! Unleash the Uknickorn. RT to #NBAVOTE pic.twitter.com/LWqeLX35WD
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 5, 2018
You’ve gotta fight for your right! VOTE @Enes_Kanter to the 2018 NBA All-Star game. RT to #NBAVote now! pic.twitter.com/Ck5DhdmD1I
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 28, 2017
Looking Ahead
The Knicks are in the midst of their toughest stretch they will face this season. They are playing 12 of their next 15 games on the road and it’s no secret that they have been anemic away from Madison Square Garden. New York is 3-13 on the road this season.
Friday night they will face a Miami Heat that is trending in the right direction. Miami stumbled out of the gate but seems to have found its stride, winning seven of their last ten games. The Heat are 20-17 and currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference
Sunday, the Knicks head to Dallas to take on the Mavericks who are currently 13-26 and twelfth in the Western Conference standings. New York will have to figure out a way to steal at least one of these games if they want to keep their heads afloat until Kristaps Porzingis regains his form and Tim Hardaway Jr. returns from injury.
Other Knicks News, Stories
- ESNY’s Robby Sabo discusses Phil Jackson’s legacy with the Knicks.
- What teams could make a move for Willy Hernangomez? ESNY’s Nick LoPrinzi eyes potential suitors.
- Speaking of trades, ESNY’s Robbie Stratakos tells you why the Knicks shouldn’t trade Courtney Lee
