NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks passes the ball as Josh McRoberts #4 of the Miami Heat defends at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2015 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NBABy Dan Levy on

The season that rookie Kristaps Porzingis is having for the New York Knicks is making Linsanity look like a nice two weeks at summer camp you barely remember from when you were a kid. That story took over the entire sports world, not just in New York, but it’s a distant memory as far as trendy-take-the-city-by-storm-out-of-nowhere players go, thanks in large part to, well, just how awesome the lanky rookie has been.

Take Wednesday night, for example, as the Knicks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-102 behind 29 points from Aaron Afflalo and 20, 15 and 9 from Carmelo Anthony. But it was Porzingis who had people talking bout the Knicks, taking all the buzz in the first half by blocking six of seven shots before the break.

Porzingis was just 4-14 from the field for 11 points on the night, adding six boards to the seven blocks. It was an otherwise pedestrian night for the rookie, who is averaging 13.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Knicks’ coach Derek Fisher put the night in perspective in talking with reporters after the game.

“For Kristaps to block seven shots, he took away seven opportunities for the other team to score,” Knicks coach Derek Fisher said. “That’s more important than him making one more basket. Our guys are continuing to embrace the fact that your stat line won’t make the difference every night. It’s really about the Knicks winning the game.”

Stat lines may not matter in New York. But still, seven blocks. Seven.

Towns did get the better of his rookie counterpart on the night, despite the block above, finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds against New York. He told reporters after the loss he respects the opposing rook’s game.

“(Porzingis) is talented,” Towns said. “He proved it again. He’s very talented. He’s a versatile player. I can’t wait to be playing against him for the next 20 years plus.”

Porzingis is so popular in New York—let’s never forget, after being so resoundingly despised on draft night—that he’s being compared to legends of New York basketball.

Legends. And, as it were, celestial beings.

What’s next in the Latvian’s plan to take over New York city? Free bagels for everyone coming out of Penn Station? One thing’s for sure, whatever is next, New Yorkers will probably love it.

About Dan Levy

Dan Levy has written a lot of words in a lot of places, most recently as the National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. He was host of The Morning B/Reakaway on Sirius XM's Bleacher Report Radio for the past year, and previously worked at Sporting News and Rutgers University, with a concentration on sports, media and public relations.

View all posts by Dan Levy