Kristaps Porzingis throws shade at Knicks before first practice with Mavs

Former Knick praises Mavericks' 'culture' as he clears hurdle in ACL recovery

3/13/2019, 2:30 PM
Mar 2, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) looks on from the bench during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports / Andrew Dieb
Mar 2, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) looks on from the bench during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports / Andrew Dieb

On the same day Knicks owner James Dolan stumbled through a radio interview, Kristaps Porzingis threw some shade at his former club.

During a television interview Tuesday night with TNT, Porzingis -- who was traded to the Dallas on Jan. 31 -- praised the Mavericks organization and painted it as a more stable environment than the one he had been in with the Knicks.

"There's a culture. You can feel that," Porzingis said. "Guys like Dirk (Nowitzki,) like JJ (Barea,) they've built that culture and they're a really important part of this organization. Just seeing all those great personalities being in this organization, being a part of this culture, makes me want to be a part of it."

Porzingis was skeptical about the Knicks' culture and direction, and it culminated in a trade request.

He also said Tuesday that he's set for his first full five-on-five practice Wednesday since tearing his ACL on Feb. 6, 2018, after playing three-on-three on Tuesday. He won't have any restrictions.

"I'm feeling great," Porzingis said. "I'm super excited about the opportunity to be back on the court soon. I'm getting the itch. I've been getting the itch for a long time to get back on the court, and now that I'm actually with the team 100 percent, I just can't wait."

Popular in the Community