The New York Knicks are counting on prototype forward Kristaps Porzingis to develop the soonest and bring brighter days back in The Big Apple.

Also, it would be interesting to see what if the Knicks fans will either be cheering or booing on the Latvian. But, for what it's worth, Knicks president Phil Jackson unveiled why he was convinced that Porzingis is the perfect prospect for them.

"Although the competition in the Spanish League is more physical, more consistent and more advanced than even the best D-I college teams over here, KP more than held his own," Jackson said after team adviser Clarence Gaines Jr. advised him to draft the forward.

"He had a long, lively body, a well-developed basketball IQ, a soft shot with terrific range and he didn't back down from anybody. Plus, he showed an amazing athleticism for somebody his size."

Upon drafting him, Phil Jackson can be proud of the decision he made as he told ESPN that he is happy with the forward's performance during the summer league.

"He's really interesting to watch and the growth is going to be interesting to see," Jackson said. "It looks like he can hold his own a little bit out there. I think he's going to find a comfort zone."

He also told Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com that this will be crucial for future free agents to join them as they need to prove first that they can win with their current roster.

"We need to win, be a competitive team," Jackson said, per MacMahon. "I think we showed agents and players around the league a serious nature of what we're trying to accomplish. People who know basketball will recognize that, and we'll have people who want to come here."