NBA

Kristaps Porzingis talking big ahead of awkward Knicks return

Kristaps Porzingis has told confidants his goal is to win a gold medal for Latvia at the European Championships.

As he flies back to New York this weekend for his third Knicks training camp after falling short of that goal eight days ago in the tournament’s quarterfinals, Porzingis sounds like a player on a basketball mission.

“Next time you see me in a national team jersey I will be completely a different player,” Porzingis said in Latvian, according to a translation by journalist Andrejs Silins.

The 7-foot-3 so-called unicorn scored 34 points in Latvia’s 103-97 quarterfinal loss to Slovenia last week.

“I want to say to all fans — this is only the beginning of Latvian basketball,” Porzingis added in his native tongue.

Perhaps this is only the beginning of Porzingis’ career with the Knicks now that president Phil Jackson has been fired. But sources told The Post that Porzingis’ relationship with coach Jeff Hornacek was radioactive last season and bears watching now.

Though the Knicks had a trove of their front-office types/scouts at the European Championships, Hornacek, president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry did not attend, though Willy Hernangomez (Spain) and Mindaugas Kuzminskas (Lithuania) also participated in the tournament.

After missing the Knicks’ voluntary workouts, Porzingis, seemingly in no hurry to return, will be at Monday’s start of training camp for Media Day. He may or may not explain his shocking and unpopular decision to blow off an exit meeting with Jackson, Mills and Hornacek.

According to an NBA source, Knicks brass was happy with his performance in Europe and fine with the timing of his New York return.

(Hernangomez, whose Spanish squad won bronze, and Kuzminskas haven’t arrived to Tarrytown either; Euro training camps began in late July for the trio.)

Limited by a knee bruise, Porzingis played just two exhibition games. But in seven official tournament games, he shined. He averaged 23.6 points in 27 minutes, shot 53.4 percent, collected 1.9 blocks and 5.9 rebounds.

During the Euro camp, he tweeted his NBA mission is to make the All-Star Team this season, and he looked the part during the tournament.

With on-the-block Carmelo Anthony still in limbo, Porzingis likely will become the team’s No. 1 scoring option in Hornacek’s new high-tempo attack.

“We wanted to fight for medals. I never thought we would stop right here,’’ Porzingis said after elimination. “It’s a disgusting feeling.”

Disillusioned with Jackson’s chaotic leadership, Porzingis had that same feeling in late April when he bolted New York for Latvia one week after blowing off his exit meeting.

On the day before bolting, Porzingis told The Post he didn’t want to be traded.

“Of course [I want to be here],” he said. “I love New York. I love New York.’’

Now Porzingis gets to prove it all over again with his actions.


The Knicks’ loyal fan base is the best thing the organization has going for it. The Post has learned season-ticket renewal rate is up 1 percent over last season. This despite coming off a fourth straight season out of the playoffs, Jackson’s firing and new management emphasizing player development rather than playoffs.

The renewal rate for full plans is 89 percent, up from 88 percent last year. The Garden’s 269 home-sellout streak ended last March 14 against Indiana during a snowstorm — the first regular-season/playoff game below capacity since 2010. But the Knicks ultimately sold out 40 of 41 regular-season contests. With widespread predictions of another lottery season, selling out all 41 games will be a major challenge again.


Like Michael Beasley, point guard Jarrett Jack grew up in the Washington, DC, area and played against Anthony in AAU ball. Jack, a member of the Maryland Stallions, holds fond memories of facing Anthony’s Mount Royal club.

“I’ll give you a quick little story,’’ Jack said. “I’ve known Melo since he was 10, 11 years old. He’s from Baltimore. Crazy enough we never played in either one of our cities. We played in this one tournament in South Philly. And we kicked Melo in the ass all the time. Make sure you ask him about that.”


While Beasley complimented Joakim Noah for showing up at workouts “cut up with 25 abs,’’ their new small forward is proud of the offseason weight he lost on a vegan-oriented diet. Beasley cut out sugar and chicken fillet sandwiches and limited cheesesteaks to twice a month. Beasley said he’s dropped from the 235-240 range to 215.

“I’m the only guy you ever met 10 years removed from college that’s 20 pounds lighter,’’ Beasley said. “I got a lot more energy, my body fat is zero, so I feel great. Hopefully I get faster, jump higher and my wind is better. We’ll see.”