“I’m being put into situations I’m most comfortable, and I think you can see that.”
That is what Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis told ESPN after a dominant effort in the Mavs 127-59 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night to move to 3-0 this preseason.
Porzingis finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals on 70-percent shooting in 23 minutes against the Hornets. The 7-foot-3 Latvian continues to build on a strong preseason that has Mavs fans excited about what they’ve seen from the former New York Knicks All-Star.
Porzingis’s effort on Wednesday was a continuation of the strong performance he had against the Los Angeles Clippers last week when he finished with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals in 19 minutes of play.
His stuffing of the stat sheet has been a pleasant surprise this preseason for a Mavericks team that is counting on him to perform well this year. Porzingis’s ability to re-establish himself as ‘The Unicorn’, which at one point made him an All-Star in New York, is paramount to the Mavericks meeting the lofty expectations heaped upon them by fans and media going into this season.
The question is, can Porzingis become an NBA All-Star again this season?
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The answer falls squarely on Porzingis’s ability to take advantage of a new coaching situation, a position switch, and most importantly, a fresh mindset about his importance to the success of the Mavericks.
Mavs coach Jason Kidd throughout the off-season has stressed getting Porzingis more opportunities in the post to take advantage of his 7-foot-3 frame. At his best, the 26-year-old is a capable three-point shooter who can stretch the floor and when healthy a force defensively at the rim.
As always, his health remains the biggest question as to whether Porzingis can return to All-Star form.
Load management will always be a part of the equation when it comes to ensuring Porzingis’s ability to be on the floor, but if the Mavericks can get Porzingis back to the dominant Bubble form that he displayed in Orlando back in 2020, the sky is the limit for him this season.
Porzingis must become a true co-star to Luka Doncic for the Mavericks to make a deep postseason run.
Is Kristaps Porzingis, Unicorn 2.0 incoming for the Mavericks this season?
So far, the resounding answer has been yes.
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