Return of the UniKornet: can Luke Kornet replace Kristaps Porzingis’ shooting?

Celtics followers solely accustomed to Luke Kornet as an offensive rebounder and iconic close-out artist wouldn’t acknowledge a younger Kornet who entered the league with a skillset paying homage to a poor man’s Kristaps Porzingis.

The UniKornet left Vanderbilt because the NCAA’s all-time leader in three-pointers by a seven-footer and averaged two blocks per recreation as a senior. Though he went undrafted, Kornet latched on with the New York Knicks for the 2017-18 season after a robust Summer time League efficiency, trying the a part of a 3-and-D heart (an archetype simply beginning to come into vogue on the time).

In 66 appearances over his first two years with the Knicks, Kornet averaged 36% taking pictures from deep on substantial quantity — almost 9 makes an attempt per 36 minutes. (He additionally has posted excellent block rates his entire career, however we’re not right here to debate Kornet’s protection.)

With Porzingis out for a big time, we have now to ask: can that Kornet come again?

A look at two shot charts (courtesy of Statmuse) reveals some similarities and a few vital variations. First, Porzingis’ shot chart from final season:

Then, Kornet’s shot chart from his first two seasons:

Porzingis’ three-pointers are concentrated on the prime of the arc, which is smart. He’s usually concerned in setting picks for ballhandlers and shooters, and his capacity to house the ground as a pick-and-popper is much more worthwhile on the prime than within the corners (because it drags defenders farther from the paint).

Kornet’s profile exhibits a willingness to shoot from the identical areas, though he was simpler taking pictures from the best facet of the ground and fewer efficient from straight on. Kornet, understandably much less central to the motion than Porzingis, was typically relegated to the corners — extra consistent with Al Horford’s profile than Porzingis’. However Kornet has expertise launching from wherever the offense wants him.

A have a look at the best way Kornet generated his threes is encouraging. So many “stretch” facilities are stationary floor-spacers, magnets positioned there to attract defenders and keep out of the best way. As you’d count on, Kornet initiated many pick-and-pop actions, identical to we see with Porzingis a number of instances per recreation, however there are extra inventive methods to make use of him.

KP’s capacity to launch on the run is a significant a part of his effectiveness. Watch this play as Porzingis units an off-ball display after which backpedals to the three-point line for a catch-and-shoot alternative:

Intriguingly, Kornet was utilized in comparable actions, setting pseudo-screens earlier than moonwalking to the arc:

Kornet additionally confirmed flashes of being a real motion shooter; the Knicks ran performs for him like he was a stretched-out Buddy Hield. What Kornet lacks in foot velocity, he makes up for with size, permitting him to get off pictures even whereas seated within the center seat of a Southwest flight:

He additionally displayed astute relocation instincts, looking makes an attempt by tracing the three-point line with out hesitation:

To be clear, Kornet just isn’t Porzingis even with out contemplating KP’s midrange mastery and post-up recreation. Porzingis’s present is his capacity to launch from manner behind the arc, one thing Kornet solely confirmed glimpses of throughout his Knicks tenure. And Porzingis was equally efficient from either side, whereas Kornet most well-liked the best facet.

However there’s potential right here. Porzingis’s taking pictures is an actual weapon — and Kornet’s as soon as was, too. Kornet’s sheer quantity from these two Knicks seasons is spectacular — he fired up pictures as if his profession trusted it (and on the time, it most likely did!). We don’t know if Kornet’s accuracy can keep after his three-pointer spent years rusting in a moldy yard shed, however I, for one, want to discover out. Kornet began the primary preseason recreation in opposition to the Nuggets in Abu Dhabi and completed with 6 factors and three assists. He didn’t take any threes, however proved to be a keen playmaker above the break.

Whereas then-coach Brad Stevens allowed Kornet to strive his vary throughout Kornet’s time with Boston within the 2020-21 season, Joe Mazzulla has far most well-liked him to remain by the basket to make the most of his wonderful offensive rebounding instincts. However Mazzulla additionally treasures spacing in huge males, and he’s presently down one-half of his dynamic duo. With an offseason to rethink Kornet’s position, will Joe let the UniKornet journey once more?