After the New York Knicks traded Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to the 2017-18 NBA season, President Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry finally embraced a full rebuild around Kristaps Porzingis. While most basketball fans expected the Knicks to lose a lot, they are currently 10-8, which is the eighth-best record in the Eastern Conference.

In the 116-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Porzingis let the frustrations get the best of him after cursing and nearly throwing the basketball at a referee according to Bleacher Report:

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With the Hawks tied for the second-worst record in the entire league, it was a bad loss for the Knicks. Although New York has a winning record through 18 games, there will be growing pains during the course of an 82-game season.

As for Porzingis, he has seamlessly become head coach Jeff Hornacek's first option. While the former fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft will continue to develop as a vocal leader, he is currently leading by example. In 17 appearances, Porzingis is averaging 27.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 33.1 minutes.

Following the disappointing loss to the Hawks, it does not get any easier for the Knicks as they host the Houston Rockets.