Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis had to go through an adjustment period with the Mavs at the start of the season. However, Porzingis feels like he is getting his rhythm back.
With fellow Mavs star Luka Doncic sidelined due to injury, Porzingis scored 38 points to go along with 13 rebounds and four assists as Dallas defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
Porzingis said after the game he is capable of these sort of performances.
“This isn’t something I’m inventing. These are things I’m capable of doing.” — 38 points, 13 boards. pic.twitter.com/qKN2zktgQM
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) March 1, 2020
KP also responded to a question about “feeling like Kristaps again” in humorous fashion.
“I've been Kristaps. I've been myself. It took me a little bit to get back to the shooting rhythm and feel for the game and I think the team now knows where I'd like to receive the ball and I could mix the roll with the pops and switch it up. It just takes time, it always takes time to get adjusted to everything and playing with these guys,” the Mavs center said.
This has been an up-and-down season for Porzingis from an individual perspective, but context is important. He had not played in over a year, and he was also surrounded by a host of new teammates. Naturally, things were slow in the first few months.
Porzingis posted a measly .483 true shooting percentage in November, and after some improvement in December, Porzingis was forced to miss time due to injury in January.
Now, it seems the 24-year-old has turned the corner. Porzingis was excellent in February, averaging 25.2 points and 10.6 rebounds to go along with a 65.6 shooting percentage.
The Mavs could be a potential upset pick if they can get healthy. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis have the capability to be among the best pick-and-role duos in the league, one that could exploit match-ups and terrorize opponents come April.
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