Heard rumors about this for a while now, Hinkie apparently really likes him. Would be a better fit next to Embiid and Noel because of his jumpshot, think there are doubts that Noel and Embiid can co-exist. Drafting a PG would also make a lot of sense as there are a few good ones available, but maybe Hinkie wants to wait another year and keep his team incomplete for a season.
He is superb offensively. He gets to the rim so well. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Kristaps-Porzingis-Workout-Video-5085/
Another vid: [youtube]Fjzdm1pSqjk[/youtube] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjzdm1pSqjk#t=222 Wow! stuff.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Porzingis was VERY impressive in workout. A scout called him the best player in the draft "He's better than Karl Towns," said the scout.</p>— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) <a href="https://twitter.com/PompeyOnSixers/status/609457486312050688">June 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Porzingis torching the nets <a href="http://t.co/wh7jiZ4RZz">pic.twitter.com/wh7jiZ4RZz</a></p>— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Schmitz/status/609450094002188288">June 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> SPORTS More: NBA NBA Draft Kristaps Porzingis A 19-year-old Latvian prospect is blowing away NBA people in workouts, and some think he could be the best player in the draft SCOTT DAVIS JUN. 13, 2015, 8:21 AM 53,959 3 EMAIL PRINT kristaps porzingisVia Grantland/YouTube With the 2015 NBA Draft less than two weeks away, one of the most mysterious prospects is making a name for himself. Nineteen-year-old Latvian player Kristaps Porzingis, considered one of the top prospects in the draft, held his first US workout in Las Vegas on Friday and impressed a gym packed full of team officials. At 6-foot-11, Porzingis has the height of a center, but is long, wiry, and nimble, almost in the mold of Kevin Durant. He can shoot 3-pointers, take the ball off the dribble, and can block shots on defense. He showed a glimpse of his skills at the workout, leaving one scout raving about him: Porzingis was VERY impressive in workout. A scout called him the best player in the draft "He's better than Karl Towns," said the scout. — Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) June 12, 2015 Porzingis torching the nets pic.twitter.com/wh7jiZ4RZz — Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 12, 2015 DraftExpress posted a video of Porzingis' workout, where he showed off some of his versatile skills: Via DraftExpress ESPN's Chad Ford similarly raved about Porzingis' skill, saying he might be the second-best prospect in the entire draft, and he could give Karl-Anthony Towns a challenge for best prospect: "In Porzingis' case, I think there's enough evidence of his play in Sevilla to safely say that the things I love about him (his shooting ability and his athleticism) will come through in the NBA. If Porzingis were playing at Duke or Kansas, I think he would be the toughest competition for Towns for the No. 1 overall pick. I really believe [Philadelphia 76ers GM] Sam Hinkie may pull the trigger on Porzingis at No. 3." http://www.businessinsider.com/kristaps-porzingis-blowing-away-2015-nba-draft-scouts-2015-6
I laugh at draftexpress videos, seems like players never miss in those. I can do my 2-4 hour workout where I hit my shots, maybe some stretches of 5 shots or more in a row and put up a great video of 5-10 minutes where I hit everything. I'm talking about every single video they share, not about latvian specifically. Scouts can talk what they want before draft.
Notwithstanding the Embiid potential setback... I think HInkie would be dumb to keep taking bigmen. Especially when the exact player they need, with similar upside, may also be sitting there. Here is what Draftexpress says about the #4 pick in the mock... Yeah. Please HInkie don't let Russel drop to the Knicks. Let the Knicks see if Porzingis works.
Really hope the Lakers pick Okafor and not this dude. I think Okafor underwhelms. This dude looks like the real deal.
Yi couldn't shoot anywhere near at the range that Kristaps does. He is skinny though, and doesn't have a frame to put much muscle on. I feel Kristaps will be better than Bargnani, but he isn't as skilled, as Dirk despite his superior lateral quickness.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eo_7LUIFBzY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I have to admit -- that workout video was very impressive. It looks like the moves extremely well and makes aggressive moves (granted, there is no defense here). I'm sure he has to bulk up to be able to defend fours straight up, but the fact that he can block shots and hit threes at that plus size is very intriguing.
All depends who he joins, how much a leash he's on, etc. I mean he can go bargs mode and not give a ****, zarko mode and not play much or Dirk mode where he has a very long leash and the franchise will swallow a **** season.
All the noise, though, about the Lakers wanting to draft him? No. If the 76ers really wanted him, best to trade back with Orlando. Even NY. I still see the top 3 as Towns, Okafor, Russell. The Knicks act like they want to trade back. And not work on a project. Porzingis? Maybe a swap of Philly and NY, if the 76ers really want him.
