Kristaps Porzingis mercifully rescued Dirk from a terrible handshake

Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis has proved in his first 22 career games that he can do just about everything on a basketball court. That includes shaking hands at an elite level.

Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis has proved in his first 22 career games that he can do just about everything on a basketball court. That includes shaking hands at an elite level.

Before the Knicks and Mavericks played on Monday, Porzingis had the chance to meet Dirk Nowitzki. Their encounter nearly took an awkward turn when Kristaps prepared to give Dirk a fist-pound, and Nowitzki came flying in with an open hand.

Would these two legends mess up their first on-court shake? Dude, this is Kristaps Porzingis we’re talking about. Of course not.

What a seamless transition from Kristaps tha Gawd. His handshake awareness is off the charts.

This would have clearly been Dirk’s fault, as Porzingis declared his desire for a fist-bump pretty early on.

• Dirk on Porzingis: ‘He’s the complete package’​

“He’s for real,” Nowitzki said of Porzingis’s handshake ability after the game. “We’ve said it before. He’s tougher than you think ... The sky’s the limit for this kid.”

Thanks to redditor Zorcmsr5 for finding this, and also pointing out that this shake mirrors Snoop Dogg’s famous handshake recovery with Bill Maher.

We may have to call him KrisDaps Porzingis after this.

[Reddit]

- Kenny Ducey