Washington Wizards star Kristpas Porzingis is enjoying his role as a ‘unicorn’ among a blessing of European talent in the NBA.
During his rookie season in 2015/16, then-Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant - who recently joined the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster trade - claimed Porzingis was a basketball ‘unicorn’ due to his rare combination of talents. The Latvian’s height and mobility means he has the unique ability able to shoot over most defenders and make plays off the dribble, all while doing normal big man things like block shots and operate in the post.
Even in an era of the NBA where bigs who play like guards is more common than ever before, Porzingis stands out. No one can do what he does at his size, at 7ft 3in - and after originally rejecting the nickname, the 27-year-old now truly embraces being the NBA’s ‘unicorn’.
The nickname has stuck, yet comparisons between Porzingis and other leading players have continued. He has been compared to Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki, the 2007 MVP and 2011 NBA champion considered by many to be the greatest European player in league history. Porzingis respects the German immeasurably and has criticised comparisons between the two as ‘unfair’ due to Nowitzki’s towering legacy.
The comparison is fairly easy to make given both Porzingis and Nowitzki stand over seven foot while they can shoot as effectively from the perimeter as they can inside. Regardless, the former New York Knicks star places the German on a high pedestal.
“I don’t want to forget any legends now, but obviously you have to put Dirk up there,” Porzingis exclusively told Mirror Sport when considering the best European players in NBA history. “He won a championship, MVP, Finals MVP.
“There have been lots of great ones: Drazen Petrovic, Tony Parker. One of my favourites also is Pau Gasol. There are too many to mention.
“Even right now, you have guys like Giannis [Antetokounmpo], [Nikola] Jokic, Luka [Doncic] - these are some super talented guys who are possibly the three best players in the NBA right now. It’s an incredible achievement for European players. It’s a very special moment for European basketball right now.”
As he discusses and compares Nowitzki to the European stars of today in his former teammate Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Porzingis radiates the same sense of poise and composure he displays when standing alone beyond the arc. The 27-year-old is shooting near to a career-high 37.6 per cent from three this season while averaging a career-best 22.8 points per game.
It highlights how Porzingis has perhaps found a home with the Washington Wizards after a stint in Dallas alongside Doncic where the two Europeans couldn’t quite mesh their respective games. The ‘unicorn’ is thriving in the capital, some 6,932km from his hometown of Liepāja in Latvia.
Donning a backwards cap and discussing the NBA armed with a chilled demeanour, even Porzingis can’t help but sheepishly smile when asked who should be named MVP this season. It is one of the most exciting races for the coveted award in recent years, but Porzingis believes the reigning two-time MVP should collect a third.
“It's hard to go against Jokic,” Porzingis declared. “What he’s doing… his numbers are historic every season and this year is no different. You have to show love to [Joel] Embiid also, he’s right there. Luka is right there. [Jayson] Tatum is having a great year and the Celtics are first or second in the East, so it’s going to be pretty tight between all the guys.
“It’s just so hard not to vote for Jokic again. The Nuggets are number one in the West, which is very tight and competitive. It is a tough conference and it will be very interesting to watch and see what happens in the playoffs.”
Porzingis may not be in the MVP conversation, but he is enjoying a fine season with the Wizards, who sit 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 29-32 record. The ‘unicorn’ is returning to form in Washington years after he burst onto the scene with the Knicks, who selected him fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft as a relatively unknown project from Sevilla.
He remembers his time in New York fondly and has repeatedly referred to Madison Square Garden as ‘the most special place’ he has played in. Last week, the Knicks came to town and escaped with a 115-109 win - but Porzingis revealed the extra level of excitement he feels in facing a former team after dropping 23 points in the loss.
“ Of course, there’s a little extra feeling every time but it’s been four years since I played there,” Porzingis said with a wry smile. “It’s not like the first game that I played back at MSG, but you still want to play well. Most importantly, aside from individual stuff, you just want to beat your old teams and keep winning.
“We didn’t get it done this time, but I’m already looking forward to the next one.”
- Watch the Washington Wizards take on the Toronto Raptors live on Sky Sports and NBA League Pass on Saturday, March 4 th at 10:00pm U.K. time as part of the NBA’s ‘NBA Sundays presented by NBA2K23’ Primetime initiative.
