Kristaps Porzingis' return to the court after a year-and-a-half absence has come with its share of challenges. From getting the feel for his game back to now playing a support role for reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic, the Unicorn has had plenty of adjustments to make upon getting to the Dallas Mavericks, and it hasn't all been smooth.
“It’s not easy,” Porzingis told Shams Charania of The Athletic. “I’m trying to play within the offense, within the system and how we want to play. I knew this is the style of play that we wanted to play, and I want to win. I didn’t know it would work so well this early, but I knew we would have a set structure. Some nights I get more opportunities and some nights I don’t get as many opportunities. Luka is trying to look out for me and try to get me involved as much as possible. But most nights, we give Luka the ball and let him f***ing go. Do you see what he’s doing? It’s remarkable.”
The Mavs are flying early with a 15-6 record, now winners of four straight. But it hasn't been that easy for Porzingis, who tuned his game to be the go-to guy in New York and struggled to get his shot to fall through the early stretch of the 2019-20 season.
“I was frustrated and really down on myself early on,” Porzingis admitted. “I thought I’d come in right away after the injury and put up the numbers that I know I’m capable of early. It was difficult. I knew I put in so much work in the summer and rehabbing, so I was upset at myself. I’m not shooting the ball well; I’m getting opportunities, open shots, and it’s my job to make them.
“But when we’re winning, we’re growing, it’s fun and that’s all that matters.”
Porzingis is only shooting 39.5% from the field through 20 games and 35% from deep, but he leads the Mavs in blocks (2.2) and offensive rebounds per game (1.8), while being the team's second-leading scorer. Doncic has carried the load for the first stretch, but it won't take long until Porzingis gets back to his old self and brings along some major contributions.
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