Latvian basketball sensation Kristaps Porzingis has taken the NBA by storm after being drafted by the Knicks. And his most high-profile teammate, Carmelo Anthony, is loving every minute.
Anthony, an eight-time All-Star, has accepted the role of Porzingis’ mentor as he begins his career in the New York pressure cooker.
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“When things are going good, they put you way up there,” Anthony told Yahoo Sports about New York media as it pertains to Porzingis. “When things are going bad, they kick the chair from underneath you. Those are experiences that he is going to have to go through. But if I can be there and be that guy who can grab him up and say everything is going to be all right, I’m going to do that …
“I support him 100 percent. In New York they can run you in the ground with all that attention. I’m there to just let him know that when it’s good, it’s great.”
Porzingis is averaging 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game, so the media in the Big Apple is all about the 7-3 sensation, but Anthony is also reaping the benefits, saying “because of him I’m getting wide-open looks.” And we all know Anthony loves to shoot.
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Anthony said he never had anyone take him under his wing during his rookie season in Denver and teach him about the NBA, so he takes special pride in being that caretaker for Porzingis.
“I know what we have as teammates,” Anthony said. “Nobody can come between us despite what anybody says. Nobody.”