It was January 2016 when Kevin Durant came up with a never-heard-before moniker for New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis. After their first meeting during a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks, KD was so impressed by the idea of a 7-foot-3 sharpshooting rim protector that he penned a new moniker for the Knicks big man. Porzingis’ unique and rare combination of skill, size, and athleticism led the Slim Reaper to deem him a “unicorn.”

However, in a recent appearance on JJ Redick’s The Old Man and The Three podcast, Porzingis revealed his true feelings regarding the nickname bestowed upon him by KD.

Kristaps Porzingis “didn’t like” KD’s nickname for him

When the Latvian forward was drafted as the 4th overall pick by the Knicks, it was met with a lot of criticism, especially due to the narrative of big men being unskilled. However, the 7-foot-3 big man soon turned several heads due to his exceptional athleticism for someone as big as him. As a result, his rare combination of talents drew praise from the spindly scoring machine KD himself. Durant was in awe of Porzingis’ ability to shoot from beyond the arc, defend, and block shots, labeling him “a unicorn in this league.”

But how did he feel about the nickname when he first heard it? Porzingis said, “At first, I didn’t even like it.” No wonder he didn’t like it at first; he thought it meant “a horse with a ponytail.” However, after realizing KD was actually lauding his skill set, he started growing fond of it.

To KD’s credit, the moniker set the tone for the impending generational shift that the NBA was about to experience: the rise of unconventional, All-Star-caliber big men such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic. However, Porzingis will always be known as the “first unicorn.”

Kristaps Porzingis injury update

The Boston Celtics forward’s journey with the New York Knicks ended on a bitter note due to some disagreements with the front office. Now, two teams later, he has settled in Boston and is one of the major reasons for their soaring success this season. However, the one-time All-Star sustained a left calf injury during the team’s loss to the Orlando Magic on November 24. His absence from the lineups cost the Celtics the NBA In-Season semifinal berth.

Read More: Kristaps Porzingis Divulges “Natural” Relationship With Jaylen Brown, Revealing Homecoming Intentions Alongside Celtics Star

On a positive note, he has participated in full-court scrimmages since then and looked comfortable making shots. Therefore, a return is around the corner. His return will once again bolster the Celtics’ offense which has dropped to the ninth position in his absence.

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