Kristaps Porzingis determined to repeat as All-Star skills champ
MILWAUKEE — Kristaps Porzingis is saving his boasts for All-Star Saturday.
After deciding to return to the All-Star Skills challenge, Porzingis believes he’s got a great shot at defending his 2017 crown in Los Angeles. Of course, Joel Embiid may have something to say about that.
“I have to protect my title, I have to be back-to-back skills champion,’’ Porzingis said with a smile on his face. “That’s the goal for me. It was a lot of fun [last year]. The whole thing — the rookie game and skills challenge. I had a great time.’’
Unfortunately, it probably was the most fun Porzingis experienced last season. The Knicks dovetailed after mid-December and finished 31-51, 10 games shy of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Porzingis scored 24 points in the Rising Stars Challenge for the World Team at the All-Star game in New Orleans, then ousted Nikola Jokic in the big-man round of the skills challenge before topping Gordon Hayward in The Finals.
“They changed the rules so it’s always going to be a big in the final,’’ Porzingis said. “It’s more fun with the guards against the bigs. I’m looking to get [another one] this year. I think I’m a head over everyone else. I think I’m at a different level, I think.”
This time Porzingis will also be in the main event Sunday, Feb. 18th at Staples Center. With DeMarcus Cousins out for the season, Team LeBron needs to promote a player into the starting lineup.
Porzingis?
“That’s a good question,’’ Porzingis said. “We’ll see what happens.’’