NEW ORLEANS _ Kristaps Porzingis is a skilled big man and he showed just how skilled Saturday night.
The Knicks' 7-3 forward won the NBA's Skills Challenge, beating Utah Jazz All-Star small forward Gordon Hayward in the finals.
"It's a good feeling that I'm able to showcase my skill with my size and show to the kids that you're capable of doing that even if you're tall and lanky like me," Porzingis said. "I think a lot of kids now growing up will improve those perimeter skills just seeing guys like _ I don't want to mention myself _ but big guys with perimeter skills that can do it."
After the Knicks' disappointing first stretch of the season, Porzingis came to All-Star Weekend and tasted some success. He also played on the World Team that won the Rising Stars Challenge Friday night.
"It does feel good to win no matter what," Porzingis said. "The Rookie-Sophomore game, it felt good to get a win."
The NBA changed this competition last year, adding big men to the challenge. A big man won for the second straight time, as Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns was the champion last year.
Porzingis vanquished Kings center DeMarcus Cousins in the first round, Denver's Nikola Jokic and finally Hayward.
In the obstacle-course like timed challenge that tests dribbling and passing and long-range shooting, Porzingis passed the ball through the net on the first try all three times. In the final, he hit the 3-pointer on his first attempt to claim the title.
Porzingis said he did a walk-through before the competition and focused on the passing and shooting.
"I knew that the pass and the shot on the three-pointer was the most important parts of that," Porzingis said. "I was able to make the pass on the first try all three times. And then in the final, that last shot just went in. So just a little bit of luck."
It took some skill, too.
