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New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher confirmed to Marc Berman of the New York Post that Latvian first-round pick Kristaps Porzingis is expected to be the team's starting power forward when it opens the NBA season against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Guards Jose Calderon and Arron Afflalo, superstar forward Carmelo Anthony and center Robin Lopez will round out the starting lineup.

Fisher broke down what he likes about that combination of players, per Berman:

The size, the strength, length up front, they can score. They’re a veteran group other than Kris. That group is going to be more about execution, working together. I think the defense has to respect each of those guys for who they are and what they can do on the floor. It’s potentially a group of guys who can be comfortable at the end of games as well. It’s important to find five guys comfortable with end-game situations also.

Porzingis, meanwhile, is preparing himself for the grind of an NBA season.

"We never played back-to-backs," Porzingis said of his time in Spain, per Berman. "I haven’t heard anybody who say it was easy, 82 games. (I was told) you better take care of your body because it’s long season."

Porzingis, 20, has notched a combined 15 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in his last two preseason games. At 7'3", 240 pounds, he has an excellent combination of athleticism, range and touch and can be a factor both closer to the basket and farther out on the perimeter. In the age of the stretch 4, Porzingis projects to have the ideal build and skill set to play that role.

There will be questions about how his thin frame will hold up over a grueling 82-game season, but the Knicks clearly believe in his talent enough to throw him into the mix immediately rather than slowly groom him during his rookie campaign.