Kristaps Porzingis watching, learning how superstars operate in NBA world

Kristaps Porzingis didn’t get here, in the middle of the spotlight in New York for the Knicks, without knowing exactly what he was getting into. He’s studied the greats, past and present, and learned from observing and examining how the best of the best get things done. To date, he’s unleashing all that he’s learned on the rest of the league this season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James — who is the global face of the league — couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Tonight’s game (7:30 ET, NBA League Pass) provides the perfect platform for Porzingis to continue his studies. He’ll share that spotlight with LeBron, who always seems to save his best for the fans at The Garden. Porzingis, as Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes, will also be taking taking mental notes as he’s going after the Cavaliers:

“Oh yeah, of course,” Porzingis said Sunday after practice in Tarrytown. “There are a lot of things. Obviously off-the-court stuff, not just LeBron, but more and more [guys]. Kobe, Jordan, I watched a lot of their interviews and learned how they talked to people and how they do things off the court. But [James] also. There are a lot of things you can learn from guys like that.”

Such as?

“Just for example, how to talk to the media. That’s an important part of our job,” said Porzingis, warming the hearts of the handful of ink-stained and digitally shocked wretches gathered around him. “Especially Kobe and Jordan. I watched a lot of their interviews and their story telling. That’s very interesting how they do that. That’s a great skill that they have also. Those kind of things I want to get better at.”

But beyond talking to the press, Porzingis knows the power that can be wielded by a guy who stands 7-foot-3, is adored in every corner of the city — and is averaging 30.4 points. You can talk behind closed doors regarding personnel and such. That’s what franchise faces get to do.

“To have influence, you don’t need to go out and speak to the media to do something inside the organization,” Porzingis said. “You want to change something, that’s got to stay inside. More and more maybe outside stuff you can make an impact, on the children that are watching you and things like that.”

* * *