Seven games into the new season and Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis has decided to provide us with a way-too-early self-assessment of his current level of play for the Mavs. As it turns out, the 7-foot-3 power forward, who missed all of last season recovering from an ACL injury, is quite disappointed with how he has started his career with his new team.
“I just want to play well and win games and show what I know I’m capable of. But right now, I’m not there yet,” Porzingis said Wednesday night after his quietest game of the season in a 107-106 win over the Magic at American Airlines Center, via Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “I’m not there yet, and that is very frustrating.”
On Wendesday, Porzingis logged just 10 points on a miserable 4-of-14 shooting, along with a 3-pointer, eight rebounds, an assist, and two turnovers in a forgettable 34 minutes played against the Magic.
Despite Wednesday's dud, however, the former All-Star is currently averaging 19.0 points (on 41.2 percent shooting), 8.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.3 blocks, while also knocking down 2.3 treys in 32.6 minutes per contest. That's certainly not bad for a player returning from a serious injury.
Nonetheless, Porzingis reiterated how unhappy he was with his performance against the Magic, going on to say that he is looking forward to raising his level of play moving forward.
“I’m happy that we were able to get the win with me playing as awful as I did,” an introspective Porzingis said. “Onto the next one. I want to figure this thing out. Once I get back to where I want to get back, it will feel even better going through this right now. I just want to figure it out as soon as possible, but I have to give myself time and I have to make it simple for myself.”
Dallas are currently 5-2 to start the new season, and are scheduled to face the New York Knicks — Porzingis' former team — on Friday night.
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