New head coach Mike Anderson considers himself a Knicks fan now, and you can thank Bobby Portis for that.
Anderson coached Portis during his time at Arkansas, where he was the 2015 SEC Player of the Year. Portis was impressive that year with 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 46.7 percent from three.
That jumper translated to the NBA, too, as he shot a career-high 39.3 percent from three last season between the Bulls and Wizards. Anderson believes that aspect of Portis' game and more will have Knicks fans liking him this year.
"He'll be the first one in the gym and the last one [to leave]," Anderson told The Post's Zach Braziller. "Fans of the Knicks will really have a great appreciation for how hard he works. But not only that, what he brings to the table.
"He's the ultimate team player, but he's a pretty good talent as well."
Of course, there was the one moment when Portis wasn't thinking about the team when he punched Nikola Mirotic following a Bulls practice. But that is in the past for Portis.
Anderson knows what he brought to his locker room, especially when it came to practice. He called his work ethic "second to none," and knows he's always going to bring that fire on and off the court.
It comes from Portis' underdog mentality, something he said has driven him since his high school basketball days. He even wears a chain that says underdog around his neck.
Now Anderson could have easily been a Nets fan, though. His nephew is DeMarre Carroll, but he was acquired by the Spurs in a sign-and-trade. But he'll be excited watching the Knicks this season, knowing that Portis will be working hard to help turn things around in The Garden.
"He wants to be a great player," Anderson explained. "He's the ultimate competitor. People don't realize he has a drive and passion that's unbelievable.
"I'm excited, I'm excited for him. It's kind of cool I get a chance to continue to see him play."
