DALLAS – Although the Dallas Mavericks have already acknowledged that Kristaps Porzingis won’t play in any games until next season, that hasn’t stopped them from laying the groundwork on what to expect from the 7-3 power forward.
“Yesterday I had a chance to meet with Kristaps about how we see his role developing here,” coach Rick Carlisle said after Saturday’s practice at the Lympo practice facilities. “We showed him some film, we showed him some things involving Dirk (Nowitzki), some things involving some of the other top big men in the league that can play both outside and inside.
“It’s important to have a vision of the direction that you’re going to be going when you have a situation like this so you can get your mind focused on the kind of movements that are going to be required. It was a very good meeting.”
Porzingis underwent surgery to repair his torn left anterior cruciate ligament on Feb. 13, 2018 while he was playing for the New York Knicks. Less than a month before the injury, Porzingis was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team after he averaged 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game last season.
The Mavs, who host Portland on Sunday at 2 p.m. at American Airlines Center, acquired Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee, Trey Burke and Porzingis in a Jan. 31 trade with the Knicks. In return, the Mavs shipped Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and a pair of first-round picks to the Knicks.
Since he’s a very vital part of the Mavs’ future, Carlisle and Mavs management wants to make sure Porzingis is fully healthy before they put him in any game. That’s why they’re proceeding with caution in regards with his rehab.
“He’s doing strength work, rehab work and leg work, court work, and as time goes along those things will ramp up,” Carlisle said. “The transition has been very good, very seamless. He’s right into the swing of things.
“We have great medical, we have great training people, we have great strength and athletic performance people, we have a great situation. I believe that he feels that way based on the last eight or nine days.”
A point guard who also has shooting guard skills, Burke describes Porzingis as “a star” who can help take the Mavs places they haven’t been in a while.
“He’s definitely a guy who can lead a franchise,” Burke said. “I got the opportunity to play with him a little bit before he got injured last season.
“He makes a point guard’s job so easy with his ability to space the floor, his versatility on both ends of the court. I think he’s a rim protector as well. We all can’t wait for him to be back.”
Burke compares Porzingis to Nowitzki, who helped changed the NBA to the way it is today with big men stepping outside and draining 3-point shots.
“Their games definitely are similar, their ability to knock down shots anywhere on the court,” Burke said. “Like I said, it’s easy to play with those guys.”
Burke has even allowed himself to fast forward and think to next season and visualize guard Luka Doncic, 19, and the 23-year old Porzingis on the court at the same time, and what kind of impact that dynamic duo could have on the Mavs and on the NBA.
“Both of those guys are very skilled guys (and) they bring a different aspect to this team with their abilities to be aggressive at all times,” Burke said. “They both cause problems and it should be fun seeing those guys play together, it should be fun playing with those guys as well.
“Right now it’s kind of bleak just because KP is out, but we’re all looking forward to that.”
Carlisle, who has seen the Mavs miss the playoffs the past two seasons, is certainly looking forward to it, also. Having multiple franchise-type players in their prime on one team is a coach’s dream.
“Luka is going to be one of our best perimeter players, of course,” Carlisle said. “And Kristaps is a unique big guy that can play inside and outside, and he’s going to play well in the mid-range.
“We’re a ways away from this coming to real fruition, but this is where the communication and the visual things are important. We’re staying on top of it.”
Hence the face-to-face chat with Porzingis on Friday.
“I asked him for some feedback and we had a good discussion,” Carlisle said. “I think we have a good plan and it’s just going to be the rate at which he can increase his court activity.
“He’s doing great with the rehab, he feels great, and so a lot of positive signs.”
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