The New York Knicks turned a lot of heads when they selected Latvian Kristaps Porzingis with the fourth overall pick in June, but the 7-foot-1 big man is looking to improve his overall game so that he may adjust to the NBA quickly, and perhaps improve his running to an Olympian standard.
Per Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard, and other sources including Chris Herring of The Wall Street Journal and Tim Bontemps of the New York Post, Porzingis has been arriving to workouts earlier than coaches and, in his downtime, is watching videos of gold medalist Usain Bolt to study the man’s running technique so that he can use it on the court.
Mills said he walked in while Porzingis was in the cold tub. Found KP randomly watching video of Usain Bolt's running techniques
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) September 25, 2015
Steve Mills says Kristaps Porzingis was watching film of Usain Bolt to improve his running technique.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 25, 2015
Given how the 20-year-old Porzingis was drafted for his overall athleticism and ability to stretch the floor as well as play inside, much like former triangle offense star Pau Gasol, improving his speed on the hardwood would only add to his overall potential. He has already put on 11 pounds of muscle this offseason and once he ups his speed and improves his on-court awareness, especially regarding his size, he could end up being a tremendous impact player.
In the end, he may very well have Bolt to thank for it!
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
