With the 4th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select Kristaps Porzingis, from Liepāja Latvia.
It’s the last thing Knicks fans wanted to hear after enduring the worst season in franchise history. This is the same franchise that selected European center Frederic Weiss, who never suited up for an NBA game. The same fan base that watched former first overall bust, Andrea Bargnani, firsthand.
There was no shortage of scrutiny from Knicks fans and media. Upon being drafted, Porzingis was met by Knicks fans with boos and tears. Shortly after, Stephen A. Smith absolutely ripped the pick. Despite admitting to knowing absolutely nothing about Porzingis four days prior. ESPN’s Ian Begley, who covers the Knicks, gave their draft a thumbs down.
Their reasoning? The Knicks need to win now.
It’s the mentality that has plagued the Knicks the past decade and a half. An impatient fan base, and meddling owner, have pressured the front office into making “win-now” moves. Moves that are meant for teams that have a building block, or two. These building blocks are drafted and developed, not bought.
In the past 30 years, only one team has won an NBA championship without drafting one of its top two scorers. That would be the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons. They are an anomaly, the only NBA champion over that stretch to win without a bonafide superstar.
Below is the list of the last 30 NBA championship teams, and draftees who ranked top 2 in scoring for that team.
| Year | Champion | Draftee(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Lakers | Magic Johnson |
| 1986 | Celtics | Larry Bird, Kevin McHale |
| 1987 | Lakers | Magic Johnson, James Worthy |
| 1988 | Lakers | Magic Johnson, James Worthy |
| 1989 | Pistons | Isiah Thomas |
| 1990 | Pistons | Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars |
| 1991 | Bulls | Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen |
| 1992 | Bulls | Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen |
| 1993 | Bulls | Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen |
| 1994 | Rockets | Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1995 | Rockets | Hakeem Olajuwon |
| 1996 | Bulls | Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen |
| 1997 | Bulls | Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen |
| 1998 | Bulls | Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen |
| 1999 | Spurs | Tim Duncan, David Robinson |
| 2000 | Lakers | Kobe Bryant |
| 2001 | Lakers | Kobe Bryant |
| 2002 | Lakers | Kobe Bryant |
| 2003 | Spurs | Tim Duncan, Tony Parker |
| 2004 | Pistons | None |
| 2005 | Spurs | Tim Duncan, Tony Parker |
| 2006 | Heat | Dwyane Wade |
| 2007 | Spurs | Tim Duncan, Tony Parker |
| 2008 | Celtics | Paul Pierce |
| 2009 | Lakers | Kobe Bryant |
| 2010 | Lakers | Kobe Bryant |
| 2011 | Mavericks | Dirk Nowitzki |
| 2012 | Heat | Dwyane Wade |
| 2013 | Heat | Dwyane Wade |
| 2014 | Spurs | Tim Duncan, Tony Parker |
| 2015 | Warriors | Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson |
As you can see, the draft is a consistent variable in the championship formula. The Knicks haven’t drafted an all-star since they selected Patrick Ewing in 1985.
We all know what happened in the lottery. Despite having the second worst record in the NBA, the Knicks got the #4 pick. It left them on the outside looking in, on what analysts viewed a three man draft.
Phil Jackson could have drafted for instant impact, and no one would have batted an eye. Justise Winslow and Willie Cauley-Stein would have been immediate starters, and improved the Knicks defense overnight. It would have appeased the New York fans and media, as well as All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony.
Instead, Phil took the highest risk/reward player in the entire draft – Kristaps Porzingis. It may take 6, 7, hell even 10 years for Porzingis to reach his potential. But he was the only guy left on the board that has potential to be a top 5 NBA player.
I think Porzingis will be a star in New York. More elite GM's believe in his talent than any other player in this draft.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2015
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks aren’t the only team that feel this way. The feeling that Porzingis has the highest ceiling is shared by elite GMs.
Chad Ford even reported that some inside the Laker’s organization believe Porzingis has the most upside.
One Lakers source admitted they thought Porzinigs had the most upside of anyone in the draft, but they just didn’t have the stones to take him.
– Chad Ford
Porzingis’ talent is real. It’s a shared belief, among high ranking NBA executives, that he can be the best player in this draft. There is certainly risk, and it will take years to find out if Jackson made the right choice.
But that’s the point.
Instead of playing it safe, and putting the Knicks in the best position to make the playoffs this year, Jackson is looking long-term. He is making moves now, that are intended to help the Knicks compete for a championship 6 to 10 years down the line.
It’s the decision, and the process behind that decision, which is more important than the result itself. Jackson took in the reports of his lead scout, Clarence Gaines, and acted on the assessment. The Knicks scouting department determined Porzingis had the most potential of any other player available, so they took him.
There was caving to pressure from ownership. No appeasing the impatience of New York fans.
The Knicks made the best long-term basketball decision, independent of other factors. It’s the first step towards a healthy and functional basketball organization. Phil Jackson is changing the culture of the Knicks organization. That’s the most important takeaway from the Porzingis pick.