Perhaps no NBA player has ever achieved a bigger cult status, faster than New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis.
The Latvian sensation has almost single-handedly fueled the rise of a rap industry in his native country, and now he is the subject of a short film called “Porzingod,” which debuted at last week’s Tribeca film festival.
The film stars John Leguizamo and Adam Mucci as two Knick fans praying at the altar of Porzingis, and takes the viewer through the ups and downs of Knicks fandom over multiple decades.
The film is unsurprisingly laudatory of the great Knicks teams from the 1990’s. However, it also makes time for some expected shade towards Reggie Miller and Isaiah Thomas, and some unexpected shade towards Jeremy Lin and what can be inferred as Carmelo Anthony.
The real treat is at the 2:30 mark when Leguizamo and Mucci throw out their best Porzingis nicknames. I am partial to “Zingis Khan,” but there are a handful of great ones mentioned.
The Knicks do not have a first round pick in this year’s draft, so the faith and expectation placed in last year’s selection is undoubtedly doubled. Nevertheless, all signs point to Porzingis being able to handle the added pressure. Following a hearty draft day booing, the 20 year old averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and almost two blocks per game in his first NBA season.
Porzingis has certainly brought Knicks fans hope, but if the last 30 years is any indication that might be actually the worst thing for them — only time will tell if that trend will continue.
