Kristaps Porzingis’s hometown erected billboards in his honor

The people of Liepāja, Latvia, are very proud of Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis.

The people of Liepāja, Latvia, are very proud of Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis. 

Porzingis is a native of the coastal city and has exceeded most NBA fans’ expectations through his first 39 games. So when visitors arrive in Liepāja, they’ll be greeted by a pair of billboards with a message from Porzingis.

“Welcome to my town,” the signs proclaim.

• The crying Knicks fan from draft night met Kristaps Porzingis

The tweet from Liepāja’s city council includes the #NBAvote hashtag in an attempt to send Porzingis to the All-Star Game, which may seem like a longshot until you remember Latvian fans stuffed the ballot box to send Zemgus Girgensons to the NHL All-Star Game last year. 

- Dan Gartland