New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis is a superstar, but he’s not getting the kind of superstar treatment from NBA refs many others enjoy. He admitted on Friday that the constant physical way teams are approaching him, combined with him not getting the calls, is wearing on him.
In fact, he said he’s starting to wonder if he needs to change up his game.
“It makes me super mad that those little touches on the elbow and arm, I know they’re small, but it affects my shot so much,” Porzingis said, per Al Iannazzone of Newsday. “I’m confused. I’m thinking about should I change my game because I shoot those shots so many times over guys. It just makes me mad that I’m not able to get those calls. I have to play through that. Maybe I’ll get them as we go forward.”
Porzingis is averaging just over six foul shots per game, which is the highest average of his career. He’s actually getting to the line more often than King James himself this year, though obviously he feels it’s not enough. He’s upset that the refs aren’t listening to him or don’t care when he complains.
“They know what’s going on,” Porzingis said. “They know those are the type of things they have to look at. Maybe it’s too hard to see. Maybe I’m too high up, I’m too long, I don’t know.”
Perhaps the Unicorn has a legitimate beef. Perhaps he just needs to harden up. Complaining to refs and in the media might not be the best way to get results here. If anything, he needs to just continue attacking and let his play do the talking for him.
So far this season, playing in 29 games, Porzingis is averaging 24.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. The Knicks are hovering just below the .500 mark with a record of 17-18 heading into Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, good for ninth in the east.