Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out for the remainder of this season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. As part of his rehabilitation process, the Latvian-born center says he watches his own highlights on YouTube:
“I actually do,” Porzingis told The Athletic when asked if he watches his own highlights. “I watch a lot of my own (highlights), and I get myself hyped to come back and play again.”
It should come as no surprise to hear that Porzingis watches his own highlights. Several players use video footage to improve their game. Others use it to learn the tendencies of opposing players. In this case, it's used as motivation.
The Mavs acquired Porzingis from the New York Knicks via trade ahead of this season's deadline, already knowing that he would likely be out of commission this season.
Article Continues BelowThough he's currently sidelined, Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle is viewing Porzingis as a leader:
“Categorically, he appears to me to be a leader which is something you can't have enough of,” Carlisle told ESPN's Ian Begley earlier this week. “All the signs point in a really great direction.”
“The No. 1 thing right now is his health,” Carlisle added. “Getting him back 100 percent. Which will happen. In the meantime, he's picked up his workouts. He's doing more aggressive one-on-one's, controlled banging type stuff with some of our assistants. And he's making great progress.”
When Porzingis is able to take the floor again, the Mavs will be a truly formidable team. For now, though, the team's goal is to get him back to 100 percent.