It is fitting Kristaps Porzingis’ offensive growth entering his second NBA season is being unveiled at West Point’s Christl Arena, next door to Michie Stadium.
On these hallowed grounds in the 1940s dawned the most prominent sports nickname of its time: “Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside” — an ode to Army’s legendary running backs “Doc” Blanchard and Glenn Davis.
That’s not a bad moniker for the Knicks’ 7-foot-3 Lativan all by himself. Porzingis is ringing up 3-pointers during scrimmages and looking stronger in the post. Evidence was the blood on his jersey after getting banged in the nose from interior play. Meet the Knicks’ “Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside.”
Coach Jeff Hornacek already has seen Porzingis’ shotmaking improve, noticing a better arc to his long ball. Porzingis shot 42.1 percent last season, 33.3 from 3-point range. That amounted to a 46.7 effective field goal percentage (which takes into account the fact 3-pointers are worth more than regular field goals). Hornacek embraces that analytic, but believes that percentage should have climbed over 50 for last season’s runner-up for Rookie of the Year.
“I think he’s improved greatly from last year watching him shoot,’’ Hornacek, the former Jazz shooting coach, said. “He’s more confident about the shot. His corner 3 seems automatic. He’s got the range.… [But] being a tall guy, it’s a different perspective looking at the rim. The tendency is to shoot flat. For us guards, we’re looking up at the rim. … That’s the only thing I mentioned to him. Continue to put the arc in.’’
With Robin Lopez now a Bull, Porzingis is getting more touches in the post during scrimmages. He increased his power in his lower body and his inside game should be more productive.
“Last year he’d get bumped and fall away and throw up something bad,’’ Hornacek said. “This year he’s taking the bump and falling to the basket. That’s a sign of strength.”
Porzingis said his brother, Janis has tried to get more arc into his shot for five years. He spent the offseason working on post play, taking thousands of turnaround jumpers.
“As I get stronger I just feel more comfortable playing in the post,’’ Porzingis said. “It depends on where the team wants to use me more— on the post or perimeter to stretch the floor. … I’ll probably get more chances than last year in the post because we’ll have more space.’’
Of the 18 players in camp, 15 have fully guaranteed pacts, including big men Lou Amundson, Marshall Plumlee and Maurice Ndour. Hornacek said eating contracts is not a problem.
“We have a lot of guys under contract and fighting for a place,’’ Hornacek said. “Nobody’s guaranteed. The Knicks organization, they’re not afraid to cut a guy with a guaranteed contract if there’s another player who’s better.’’