It’s hard to imagine that if new 76ers assistant coach Mike D’Antoni or new adviser Jerry Colangelo were in place last June, Philadelphia would have passed on 7-foot-3 Latvian Kristaps Porzingis with the third pick in the draft and let him slip to the Knicks. D’Antoni and Colangelo are noted sophisticates of the international game.
Sources have indicated Philly ownership was gung-ho to take one of the Big 3 — Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor or D’Angelo Russell — because taking another unknown European project may not have sat well with a disenchanted fan base.
As The Post has reported, Knicks president Phil Jackson would have done the same thing as Sixers GM Sam Hinkie — chosen Okafor over Porzingis. According to a source, the Knicks were still concerned about Okafor’s “defense, lack of shot-blocking ability and poor lateral speed,” but still had him higher on the board than Porzingis.
The two rookie big-man studs will clash again as the highlight of the Knicks’ Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee against the Sixers.
How fortunate the Knicks have become as Porzingis is a top candidate for Rookie of the Year, being mentioned as a potential candidate for the All-Star Game, with NBA coaches raving about him at every turn. And he’s certainly getting star treatment from defenders now — unlike in November, when he was let loose on the perimeter.
“It’s a compliment they want to put more pressure on me and pay more attention, and when you score, it’s an even better feeling,’’ Porzingis said after Zach Randolph was in his shorts during the loss to Memphis on Saturday night. “It’s something I have to work on.’’
Meanwhile, Okafor, Duke’s national championship-winning center, has played well enough but has been rocked by off-court issues regarding a reckless speeding charge and altercations at nightclubs.
With a little help from Latvia, Porzingis has moved up to seventh in the All-Star voting among front-court players. Voting ends Monday night and the starters will be announced Thursday, but to make it, Porzingis would have to be voted in by the coaches as a reserve.
Andre Drummond, Pau Gasol and Chris Bosh are the front-court non-starters ahead of Porzingis. Coaches could vote in four front-court players as reserves.
“I can control what I can control,’’ Porzingis said. “I’m trying to do my best on the court. It’s in their hands to make that decision.’’
Porzingis was asked if he knew a second rap song had been produced about him — “Keep Calm Like Kristaps Porzingis.” Of course he did.
“Latvia is doing everything for me to be in the All-Star Game,’’ he said. “It’s a small country, but I feel the support. It’s amazing. I appreciate all the support.’’
The past two games, Porzingis has had to fend for himself without the injured Carmelo Anthony, who has been out with a sprained right ankle. Anthony is questionable for Monday.
Porzingis had a brutal game in Brooklyn on Wednesday, but was spectacular in the first half in Memphis on Saturday, scoring in multiple ways. But after scoring 12 points by intermission, he was held to five in the second half as the Knicks were blown away in the fourth quarter.
Randolph guarded him as if he were defending Dirk Nowitzki.
“He was really close to me and not letting me shoot,’’ Porzingis said. “The play we run, getting in position at the top of the key, I feel guys don’t let me receive the ball that easy anymore because it’s one of my best shots. I got to respond to that and find new ways how to score.’’
As wildly successful as his rookie season has been, Porzingis still gets down on himself when he doesn’t shoot well.
“I get frustrated when I’m missing shots and didn’t do everything I need to for the shot to go in,’’ said Porzingis, averaging 13.9 points and eight rebounds. “If I felt I was off-balance, that’s when I get ticked at myself. If it didn’t go in and I knew I did everything right, I don’t get frustrated.
“If they play tough defense and pressuring me, that’s part of the challenge for me. That’s what I like. That’s something I’d have to be prepared for in the future. I always take it as a challenge.’’