New York Knicks interim head coach Kurt Rambis acknowledged rookie Kristaps Porzingis probably has become a step slower defensively because of the so-called NBA rookie wall, but said he doesn’t believe the team’s losing is shaking the 7-foot-3 Latvian’s confidence or enthusiasm.
Porzingis’ failure to win the Eastern Conference NBA Rookie of the Month award for February (Indiana’s Myles Turner captured it) underscored his downturn. Porzingis had won the award for November, December and January. Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who has swept all four Western Conference monthly prizes, is now a heavy favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
In 11 games in February, Porzingis averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, as his shot-blocking and rebounding numbers took a downturn.
