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Vote: How Would You Feel If The Sixers Drafted Kristaps Porzingis?

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Close your eyes. Picture it.

The Philadelphia 76ers' third overall pick is in. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is at the podium.

"With the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select...Kristaps Porzingis, from Liepaja, Latvia."

Knee-jerk reaction, how would you feel?

 

Judging from that small Twitter poll, Philadelphia wouldn't be very happy.

Porzingis is a 7-1, 230-pound incredibly skilled 19-year-old forward. Thing is, while there is nothing Porzingis can't do offensively, he's skinny and young. In prospect terms, he's raw with upside.

Kristaps Porzingis 2015 NBA Draft Workout - New York Knicks - 7'1 19 Year Old - NBA Draft 2015 by CityLeagueHoopsTV on YouTube

At first glance, Porzingis fits the mold of your traditional European bust. If you dig a little deeper, you learn the kid comes from a household with two parents and a brother who've played the game. You learn he speaks fluent English. You learn he is a student of the NBA, as he has studied star players like Kevin Garnett, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Anthony Davis. You learn he wants to put in the extra work.

And you learn, he's aware of his perception.

"I don't like being labeled soft," Porzingis told Yahoo Sports. "I'm very hungry. I love the game. I've got to prove to coaches and GMs that I'm not soft just because I'm from Europe. They need to see that I'm not just some skinny white guy, that I'm going to be there fighting. They'll need to see that I'm a worker who's going to play hard, and play tough."

Porzingis' intelligence, workouts, upside, and crafty interviews have reportedly propelled him to the top of draft boards leading into Thursday night's draft. However, most NBA personnel leaders know if they gamble on Porzingis---the stereotypical "European bust"---their job will be hinging on his success.

Sam Hinkie isn't most NBA personnel leaders.

For general managers, the selection of Porzingis would determine their fate. For Sixers fans, it would mean more patience.

 

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