Sports

The man rebuilding Porzingis: ‘He’s going to be phenomenal’

Dr. Carlon Colker is bubbling with muscles and with optimism regarding his difficult task in resculpting Kristaps Porzingis for next season.

“Despite the talk, ‘The sky is falling, he’ll never be the same,’ that’s a bunch of horse s–t,’’ Colker told The Post. “He’ll be better than ever. He’s going to be blow people away. If you’re around people who know what they’re doing, it’s not the end of the world. It’s the end of the world if you have the wrong people around you.”

With a doctorate specializing in sports performance, Colker’s job is strengthening Porzingis’ frame — everything but his damaged left knee. Hence, he must make adjustments.

Since Porzingis underwent ACL surgery in mid-February, the 7-foot-3 Latvian has headed to Colker’s Greenwich, Conn., facility three times a week (Porzingis does ACL rehab at the Knicks-affiliated Hospital of Special Surgery in Manhattan).





Colker works independently of the Knicks, but keeps in contact with their knee specialists.

“My speciality is power — physical power and base and connection to power,’’ said Colker, whose former clients include Shaquille O’Neal, Allan Houston and Andre Agassi. “Whether swinging a racket or a big man moving in the low post, it’s a connection to the base and hips.’’

Any concern Porzingis’ ACL rehab will hinder strengthening other areas is a myth, Colker said. With no games, practices or traveling, Porzingis has more time to impact his game by bulking up his body.

“It’s a deep philosophy of mine,’’ Colker said. “It’s an opportunity to polish things up and improve, put on muscle. I can’t tell you how many seasons with Shaquille we had to keep going back to the drawing board.





“We have to deal with the ACL aspect in addition to the bigger picture. Rehabbing an ACL is straightforward. The important thing is be mindful of we’re rehabbing an ACL, but start establishing a power base, getting our balance, our flexibility back, working in conjunction with what the guys are doing on the ACL front. We’re bulking him up and giving him more muscle mass and strength, working on his upper body, doing a lot of hamstring work.”

Colker is part of an aggressive faction regarding ACL timetables. While the Knicks likely won’t let Porzingis play until around Christmas (the 10-month mark) at the earliest, Colker says he’ll have him ready for opening night.

Knicks brass is aware of Porzingis’ relationship with Colker. Porzingis and Colker met late last season to take care of a recurring shoulder ailment. Colker implemented an offseason conditioning plan and visited Porzingis in Latvia for two weeks over the summer.





In November, Porzingis said Colker’s “techniques are different and you’re never going to leave after seeing him without being exhausted in some part of your body. He really understands how the body works. I gained so much trust in him.’’

Asked about a timetable, Colker said: “Ultimately, the folks at the Knicks have to decide when they want to let him back. As far as I’m concerned, he’s going to be ready to play for the beginning of next season.

Everybody’s saying he won’t be ready until January. Oh, he’ll be ready to play by the beginning of the season.

“It’s a function of the Knicks, erring on the side of caution. You don’t want to make a bad call if you’re running the team. But I’ll tell you, when he comes back in late August he’s going to blow them away. They’re not going to be believe the condition he’ll be in. He’s going to be phenomenal.’’





Porzingis won’t press the issue.

“He’s a good foot soldier,’’ Colker said. “He’ll do as exactly as he’s told and so are we. But my job is to produce the best KP I can produce as quickly and effectively as I can.”

The Knicks say Porzingis isn’t doing “basketball activities,” but a photo surfaced of him taking shots. Colker explains it’s more mental relief.

“He misses it terribly,’’ Colker said. “He’s got such a hunger to come back on the court so he has walk-around court time. We keep him on a short leash.

“If he wants to walk onto the court and feel it under his feet … I don’t want him running around, jumping. He can fool around. He can stand and shoot. We don’t want long-distance shots. Just feel the basket, take little backboard shots.’’

The silver lining?

“There’s a famous quote from Buzz Aldrin,’’ Colker said. “A press guy asked: ‘What are you going to do if the engine doesn’t work?’ He looked puzzled. ‘Then I’m going to work on the engine.’ We view this as an opportunity to improve other elements of the game. We’re off and running, improving stuff already.

“I know he’s going to be ready to play top of the season and going to blow people away. If you were surprised last year compared to the year before, wait till you see this year. It’ll be even better.”





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