Why the New York Knicks are excited about the return of Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis made a splash in his return to the Boston Celtics lineup on Monday night. Great wave-benders often do that.

That applause you heard came from high above the Rockies.

No, not for the Nuggets, who are looking less and less likely to be NBA Finals opponents for the defending champs.

But from the visiting Knicks, who know Porzingis much better than the Celtics.

This mysterious 29-year-old carries a lot of baggage wherever he goes. He needs to haul all his belongings.

Make sure: Suitcases with wheels. His back can’t support the weight of his $177 million in career earnings, let alone the expectations of a desperate NBA franchise. Or two. Or three. Or now four.

Make no mistake, the Knicks were exactly that when they drafted the largely unknown Porzingis No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 draft. And they still are today, no thanks to the Latvian Lightweight, who has sat next to Spike Lee almost as often as he has lined up next to Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose in 3 1/2 terrific seasons.

The problem with Porzingis wasn’t his attitude. It was his body.

Bean poles are common in the NBA. Ask Ralph Sampson. And has anyone seen Chet Holmgren lately?

Fortunately for the Knicks, the winds of desperation are blowing in Central Texas again, so they were able to give away two first-round picks to the Mavericks as a parting gift for Porzingis.

Unfortunately, the proverbial door seems to have hit Porzingis in the back on the way out, because he’s still limping today.

It didn’t take Mark Cuban long to learn a little something about the economics of the NBA: What doesn’t sell in New York usually doesn’t sell in Dallas, either… especially at five times the price.

Three years later, the Mavs received a gym bag full of used scorebooks for the Wizards to take a hit from their hands. Only to suffer the same fate.

Three strikes and… Porzingis seems to have hit the mark. Last June, the big oaf was relegated and now wears the NBA crown on his head.

Obviously it must be difficult.

After missing most of Boston’s most important games last season, Porzingis watched the first 17 games this year. Even Celtic fans stopped counting.

The tin man just can’t stay upright.

Funny thing: The Knicks wish their old friend the best of luck. Their spot in the NBA Finals may depend on it.

Like 28 other teams in the NBA, Knicks management has identified the Celtics as the team to beat heading into the 2025 championship. It’s unlikely that the other 28, the Knicks will do anything about it.

Actually, they have done a lot with it.

With Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, they now have chains to lock down Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Not that Tatum, one of the worst shooters in postseason history, and Brown, who is at his best in missing three-pointers, are going to stop hacking.

And with Karl-Anthony Towns, they have more than just the complement needed to take the offensive weight off Jalen Brunson. They have the perfect match for Porzingis.

The best way to attack the Boston defense is to have a big man leave space on the floor. Enter City, whose 2-for-2 shooting night in Denver on Monday was enough to pull Nikola Jokic to the basket, opening up space for the often-attacking Anunoby to step in and score 40 points.

That’s what they’ll need to do when they face the Celtics, who can’t fill the three-point gap with the best of them all. But Tatum doesn’t like to guard anyone, and without Porzingis around to protect the basket, Boston’s defense is suddenly vulnerable.

Anunoby is already licking his chops.

And on the other side of the floor, Porzingis doesn’t have that kind of perimeter skills. So while Towns is holding on to the key, cutting off Tatum’s deadly efforts in the defensive midfield, the Knicks can let Boston’s 36 percent 3-point shooting big man shoot.

That is, when he is at 36 percent. His trumpet debut on Monday featured 1-for-6 shooting from deep, something the Knicks are used to when the all-time tallest man on the court connected on 33 percent from deep as their marquee rookie.

Well, it could have been worse. In Giannis Antetokounmpo’s simulation, he dropped to 28 percent shy of being kicked out of Cuba.

In a merciful twist of fate, the Knicks are praying that Porzingis is still celebrating a healthy holiday come May.

Ten years later, he might lead them to a championship.