NBA Positional Power Rankings: Westbrook, Leonard Are Red-Hot

Nov 1, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Utah Jazz during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Utah Jazz during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
13 of 16
Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots a three point shot over Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) and Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) shoots a three point shot over Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) and Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Kristaps Porzingis

Stats: 19 points, 6 rebounds

There’s been no signs of a sophomore slump for Kristsaps Porzingis. The 21-year-old Latvian forward has increased his production in nearly all of the offensive metrics throughout the season’s first month.

While averaging 18.4 points per night, Kristaps has also flashed efficiency in mid-range as well as long-range shots. For example, per 36 minutes, Porzingis is netting 48.0 percent of his shots from the field and a startling 39.6 percent from deep.

Considering that Joakim Noah and Kyle O’Quinn have refused to show signs of life offensively, Porzingis may be asked to produce more than what he already is in the front-court. And that could prove to be detrimental to New York.