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Porziņģis has found a quick comfort level with the Warriors training staff, particularly Celebrini, whom he has called the “GOAT.” Porziņģis is open to the possibility of staying with the Warriors, in part because of that relationship, but was non-committal about his future when asked about it by The Athletic earlier this month. The Warriors were hoping to see Porziņģis and Curry develop some chemistry heading into the offseason, but it hasn’t happened given Curry’s long absence and Porziņģis’ health issues. The 30-year-old big man offered an honest assessment of the pair’s lack of development earlier this week.
Anthony Slater: Kristaps Porzingis is officially available for the Warriors tonight. Right ankle was clearly bothering him during warmup. He chatted with Rick Celebrini afterward. But he is in against Suns in an elimination game.
Even with the limited sample size, Steve said you’ve been able to have good chemistry with the group. What is it about your game and the way you approach things that have resulted in a strong impact? Porzingis: “I think I’m a player that can fit into any system or any style of play. Obviously, I don’t have my post-game now. I can create something from there for myself. On top of that, I think it’s a good match with Steph and I being in situations together. I think it’s a hard-to-guard type of situation. But still, it’s a very small sample size. So I want to catch a better rhythm with him and knock down my own shots. Once I get a better rhythm, I think we’ll just roll.”
You’ve played against him for a while. But now that you’re in it, what are the new things you learn about what it’s like to play with him? Porzingis: “You got to get used to playing with him a little bit because he’s such a focal point for the team and for us. You have to keep in mind where he is at any given time. All of those plays need to be quick with good screens and then, boom! He can come off and create something. It’s a small sample size as you said. But we’ll get even better if we have more and more time together.”
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What do you expect that will look like? Porzingis: “Honestly, that’s the thing. It feels like I’ve been walking in the desert this season. I’m like, ‘Come on when am I going to get to when I need to get to?’ Right now, I think I’m making strides toward that. Obviously, we don’t know how far we’re going to get it. But I think if it’s a shorter season, to have all of that summer to really get everything under control with these guys and be healthy, I think then I will (trails off). I’ll be humble and take it day-by-day. But I have a vision in my head that I think I want to get to. I want to be healthy for this group, or if I’m somewhere else.
Despite his recent struggles, especially behind the 3-point line, Porziņģis still believes he can get back into a groove and start making his shots again. “I’m going to still shoot it,” Porziņģis told reporters Monday during Golden State’s practice ahead of the team’s NBA play-in tournament matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. “I always believe the next shot is going to go in. You have to have that belief, you know. Even if the shot is not feeling perfect, I can still make shots. I know it. So, hopefully the timing will line up perfectly, and I can have a good shooting game [on Wednesday].”
Anthony Slater: Warriors starters tonight at Kings Steph Curry Brandin Podziemski Gui Santos Draymond Green Kristaps Porzingis Sounds like the lineup Kerr wants to test out for play-in game. “It’s enticing.” “Good size. Versatility. Ballhandling. Shooting.”
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When asked if he would like to remain in Golden State, the veteran big man didn’t commit. “It’s hard to say,” Porziņģis told The Athletic after Thursday’s 118-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. “Of course, it would be nice for me to go ahead and say, ‘Yes, I want to continue here,’ and this and that. “But the reality is I didn’t have a good year at all. I barely showed what I’m capable of. And so I have to see what’s out there.”
“For me, I just wanted first to get to decent shape,” Porziņģis said. “Take care of that. Which I am kind of working my way into. And then seeing the whole picture, kind of taking a step back, not to put too much pressure on myself. It’s been a year like that, and we’ll see. “Honestly, the team is great here. I haven’t gotten a chance to play with Steph yet, but the team is great, the city is great, the organization is fantastic. The only thing is the time difference with Europe — it’s 10 hours, it’s too much. But everything else, I enjoy it here.”
Anthony Slater: Kristaps Porzingis will sit tomorrow night vs the Spurs. Hasn’t been cleared for both sides of back-to-backs yet. De’Anthony Melton out with a thumb strain. Gui Santos and Gary Payton II questionable. Warriors face Cavaliers on Thursday.