frank ntilikina

New York Knicks: Who will be the starting guard during the 2019-20 season?

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New York Knicks, RJ Barrett

The New York Knicks starting lineup will not be set in stone any time soon.  From all of the new faces putting on a Knicks uniform, the starting lineup will be continually changing.

Here are three New York Knicks players we know will likely be in the starting lineup:

The point guard should be Dennis Smith Jr., and it is his job to lose. At power forward, Julius Randle and the new Knicks center and blocking sensation Mitchell Robinson.

After that trio, the shooting guard and small forward positions are up for grabs.

Damyean Dotson was a strong candidate to begin the season as the starting shooting guard. However, due to his right shoulder not fully healed, Dotson might not be ready for the start of the season. That leaves it wide open for other players.

Next up would be, Allonzo Trier, Frank Ntilikina or RJ Barrett.  It is going to come down to who performs better during camp and the preseason. The same goes for the small forward position.

However, since trading away Tim Hardaway Jr. in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, the Knicks are without a go-to scorer.  Hardaway Jr. was not the best go-to option, but it was feasible for the time.

Ntilikina is coming off a strong performance in the FIBA World Cup for France. His offensive production improved, but you would not know that from just looking at his stats. Ntilikina averaged 19.5 minutes, shot 43.6% from the field while averaging 8 points per game. His numbers do not reflect the aggressiveness and confident outlook he gained through the World Cup.

Ntilikina could a reliable option to start at shooting guard since he brings an excellent defensive approach to the starting lineup.

The Knicks are looking forward to Trier taking a big step forward this season. Well, the Knicks are looking for a lot of their guys to make a big leap forward.  Everyone knows that Trier can score, but it is the defense that will need to improve this camp and preseason to let him be a starter.

Then, there is the 3rd overall pick Barrett. The skills and potential are there, but not at an NBA level yet.  It will take time for him to develop a more consistent shot.  His confidence grew as the Vegas summer league rolled on, so fans know he is just scratching the surface.

Some fans would want to see Barrett start immediately since he was the 3rd pick.  Also, he appears to be more mature then people think and if he wants to learn the hard way then what better way to toss him into the fire in the NBA.

Our picks for shooting guard who be to first start with Ntilikina.  Show him that you have the confidence in him, stemming from the World Cup to be a starter in the league.  He needs trust in his coach and player to succeed.  If that does not work, juggle Barrett and Trier until you find the right fit.

Coach David Fizdale will be experimenting with the lineup a lot at the beginning of the year.  Smith Jr., Randle, and Robinson appear to be the only three that will be the consistent starters.  It will be a battle for remaining shooting guard and small forward positions.  Fizdale will juggle with those two positions to find out what works best with the other three starting locks.

New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina is brimming with a newfound confidence

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

A position battle at point guard is underway for the New York Knicks at the start of training camp, and former first-round pick Frank Ntilikina is gearing up to compete on a different level after two years of lackluster play.

Can the New York Knicks extract value from Frank Ntilikina?

Ntilikina, who had a stellar performance for Team France in the FIBA World Cup, is flying high despite struggling at the NBA level and the physicality that comes with it. However, he helped France overcome a tough USA team featuring Kemba Walker and other premier talents from the league.

The Frenchman “really did some good stuff for his confidence,” as per head coach David Fizdale.

Fizdale will likely utilize Ntilikina in various ways moving forward, considering his lack of consistency on the offensive side of the ball but his defensive dominance. We should anticipate Frank being a situational player off the bench, primary being used for his defense late in games and on essential possessions.

Expecting him to force his way to the top of the point guard pecking order is unlikely, as third-year player Dennis Smith Jr. has more potential and athleticism exponentially. His offense has also been shaky since his inception in 2017, but he has worked diligently to improve his jump shot this offseason, therefore increasing his scoring production.

That reality hasn’t wavered Ntilikina, who’s still feeding off the confidence gained from his World Cup success.

“I learned a lot. How good I can be playing basketball, it’s simple on both sides of the courts. A competition like that brought me a lot of confidence,” Ntilikina said after practice on Wednesday.

The third-year point guard only averaged eight points per game in the World Cup but made several vital shots against the USA, helping him elevate his confidence. He has averaged a lousy 5.9 points per game with the Knicks over two seasons, something he must raise this season if he wishes to have a home in New York moving forward.

After featuring on the trade market this past free agency period, he is on a short leash with the Knicks, but they still see the value he has to offer.

New York Knicks “trying out” Frank Ntilikina is ridiculous

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New York Knicks, Frnak Ntilikina

According to SNY’s Ian Begley, the New York Knicks are using the beginning of training camp as a “tryout” for Frank Ntilikina.  It makes sense in some aspects, but honestly, it is ridiculous.

Ntilikina is coming off a strong showing in the FIBA World Cup for his home country of France.  He showed improvements with his shot, confidence and aggressiveness which were big concerns for the Knicks.  His coach and teammates raved about Ntilikina’s ability and work ethic.

There were even rumblings of him being the future face of France basketball.  The talent is there, but maybe not yet.

France was able to show confidence in Ntilikina throughout the World Cup, something that the Knicks have not done.

Coach David Fizdale said, “That was always tough to juggle and working him back in, getting his confidence back and stuff like that” after missing 40 games last season due to injury.   “I’m really happy with the way he came in. He had a great summer and today he had a real competitive practice”, Fizdale said.

But, Ntilikina is now 100% healthy and playing off the high he received in the World Cup.  He was given the opportunity to grow into a better basketball player and he did just that.  However, the Knicks coaching staff are speculating if his play will translate to the NBA.

Ntilikina was playing against NBA competition, for the most part.  He took a big leap forward with hitting gigantic shots to seal the game against the USA.  The raw emotion Ntilikina expressed afterwards could suggest his hard work is paying off.

The Knicks need to give Ntilikina the same opportunity that France did.  Ntilikina only averaged 19.5 minutes per game and he made them all count.  But, the Knicks saying they are “trying out” Ntilikina is saying that they do not have the same confidence in him as France did.

The Knicks should have looked into how France got the most out of Ntilikina and build off that, apparently Fizdale has.  Ntilikina was a lottery pick, 8th overall, in 2017 and at times it seems like they give up on Ntilikina.  A team should not give up on a lottery pick  so easily like it seems the Knicks do.

It also goes to show the lack of confidence the Knicks have in Ntilikina by not picking up his fourth-year option yet.  They have until October 31st to do so or he becomes an unrestricted free-agent.

The Knicks are still going to evaluate Ntilikina.  He continues to grow as a basketball and shown signs of improvement, he is only 21-years-old after all.  Seeing his performance in the World Cup should have been enough to pick-up his option.

Yes, the NBA is much different as compared to the FIBA World Cup.  But, Ntilikina has shown that if given the confidence and ability to work through his mistakes, he can be a vital piece to a successive team.

Yesterday, Fizdale finally talked about Ntilikina, expressing a positive outlook in him heading into the season.  Ntilikina himself noticed how much confidence he gained from the World Cup.  Now, build on that Fizdale.

New York Knicks: Two reasons Dennis Smith Jr. will win the point guard battle

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New York Knicks, Dennis Smith Jr.

The New York Knicks will enter training camp with a position battle at the point guard spot, as Dennis Smith Jr. will look to fend off Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina before the beginning of the regular season.

Smith has been working all off-season to improve his jump shot and scoring production, considering his lackluster numbers in recent years. He has averaged just 14.5 points per game since his inception in 2017, and that has hurt his playing time and overall efficiency on the floor. He could see a significant challenge from Payton, who is a much better all-around point guard. His assist totals dwarf the numbers posted by Smith Jr (5.0) over the last two seasons. Payton has earned an average of 6.9 assists per game in that same timeframe.

Despite the glaring statistical margins, the Knicks will likely stick with Smith as the starter considering his youth and potential. Elfrid is entering his fifth season, and if it means elevating Smith’s game exponentially, the Knicks would be smart to stick with the former Dallas Mavericks.

There have never been any questions about Smith’s elite athleticism, especially when remembering his impressive bout in the Slam Dunk Contest (second place prize). That skill set will only get him so far in the NBA, making his mid-range game that much more critical.

The New York Knicks have their best man on the job:

Knicks’ assistant coach Keith Smart has spent time with Smith this off-season in Westchester helping him improve his jumper. The point guard enters the 2019-20 season with a 40.7% field goal rate and only 31.6% from three. These mechanical tweaks should make a difference, and Smart is the most capable coach to help elevate his game.

Despite the hopeful uptick in production from Smith, head coach David Fizdale is not going to give him the starting role, but rather let him earn it.

“I think it’s going to be great competition,” Fizdale said, as per the NY Post. “I think we’ll have between [Elfrid], Dennis and Frank, those guys will be fighting each other every single day for those minutes. Really at that position, I’m looking at are they defending their position at a high level, are they pushing our pace, are they organizing us while staying aggressive and really being the floor general for our team.”

New York Knicks: A modest Media Day

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The New York Knicks Media Day was rather tame this year.  Not many are expecting big things from the team after a 17-win season last year, but there is a different feel this time around.

Besides the leaders of the team, not many players spoke to the media.  Julius Randle, Dennis Smith Jr., Marcus Morris and Kevin Knox were the headliners, along with rookie RJ Barrett.

Julius Randle

Randle spoke on behalf of Mitchell Robinson and is very happy that Mitch is now on his team because he did not go against him again.  One of the biggest things that Randle mentioned that he was “a leader of this team.”  Without even playing a game, he is without a doubt the leader in the clubhouse.  Randle displayed leadership qualities already by mentioning he is going to push Robinson even harder since he has that freak-ish talent.

Marcus Morris

Morris sat with Randle and answered questions.  If there are Knicks fans out there that are not fans of Morris yet, then watch this clip.  Again, Morris is that player that you hate to play against, but love when he is on your side.

He is finally a Knick and is the perfect Knick as well.  He is a ‘dawg’, has that mentality and is going to battle every night for his team.  When Morris responded with, “Have you seen me play?” was all fans needed to hear to be on his side.  Hopefully fans believe Morris when he said, “It is not going to be like last year.”

Dennis Smith Jr.

Smith Jr. also quickly mentioned about the teams toughness, which seems to be a running theme.  He mentioned how he feels confident in his shot and will continue to work on it.  Smith Jr. will need to as there will be competition for the starting point spot.

Kevin Knox

As for Knox, it looks like he put on a lot of muscle this off-season.  He will be looking to capitalize on a below-par rookie campaign.  Knox will need to be more aggressive and it appears he has put the work into do just that.  His shot will be looking to improve similar to Smith Jr.

Steve Mills

Steve Mills also spoke to media and had some good things to say this time.  Usually, fans cringe when they hear him speak, but this time was different.  Mills spoke about, allegedly, being able to sign “Max” guys, but wanted to construct this team a different way.

The front office built a deep bench.  Mills and Scott Perry signed a bunch of “Dawgs” who are going to compete night and and night out.  It is a very likable team.  This was the first time we could believe something that came out of Mills mouth.  “New Yorkers are going to love this team.”

Mills also complimented Frank Ntilikina over the FIBA World Cup.  Let’s hope they actually watched and give him the opportunity he deserves now.

RJ Barrett

The biggest takeaway from Barrett was his maturity.  Barrett already wants, “Coach to be tough on him.”  That is the only way that he is going to grow into a great player.  Thankfully, he is on a team that is going to push him, similar to how Randle is going to push Robinson.

Mitchell Robinson

Robinson was too busy being a comedian and funny guy and did not address the media.

The overall message of the Knicks Media Day was toughness and a team of ‘dawgs’.  Everyone seems to be on the same page with one another, which is a good start.  The toughness will need to be there for the Knicks, as their defense last season was atrocious. There could be some glimpses of the 90s Knicks, but even the smallest of glimpse will be better than last year.

The other key message was barely any mention of the playoffs.  Being in New York, teams are always expected to make the playoffs.  Those expectations are not there for the Knicks.  But, if they can begin to turn the page as a franchise, that will be something all fans needed to see.

New York Knicks: This ex-Knick likes this team defensively & more

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Former Knicks point guard Chris Childs spoke with the New York Post last week about the upcoming season.  Childs spoke about how the Brooklyn Nets signing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving should be a “wake up” for the Knicks.

This is something Knicks fans already knew, so it was not a surprise.  However, the Knicks did make good enough moves to put themselves in a good position to succeed for the future.

Childs went onto talking about his time with the Knicks then hit on optimistic takes.

He stated, “I really like them defensively.”  Childs continued, “It seems like they got some tough, physical guys. I don’t think they’ll be getting up and down the court with them, but seems like they put together a tough team like the way we used to play. Like the old style of the late 1990s. I can see where they’re going. The big guys will mix it up.”  He ended with liking the defensive addition of Elfrid Payton and Wayne Ellington as well.

Hearing that this current team could have similarities of the 90s Knicks should be music to fans ears.  The 90s Knicks resembled hard-nosed basketball that was loved by the city.  If anyone came in the paint, they got hurt.  Their motto, not ours.

However, this basketball age is not like that anymore.  It looks to protect the players more.  But, if Childs thinks that this Knicks came can bring back even a little morsel of that defensive mindset, the Knicks could be onto something.

Fixing the defense from last season should be a top priority.  The defense was awful and, at many times, non-existent.

Childs likes the additions of Marcus Morris, Bobby Portis, Julius Randle and Taj Gibson.  He sees the gritty 90s Knicks within them.  Fans have not heard anything like that, when talking defense, in a long, long time.

As if Childs liking the defense wasn’t enough, he also believes the Knicks can sneak into the playoffs.  Maybe, he sees a similar team like the 8th seed Knicks he was on that made a historic run to the NBA Finals in 1999.

Childs had 5 teams already locked into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.  The Bucks, Raptors, Nets, Celtics and 76ers.  “Six, seven and eight can be anyone”, Childs said.  Some positive outlook for the Knicks as they begin training camp.

New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina looking to overtake Elfrid Payton in depth chart

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks came close to trading third-year point guard Frank Ntilikina this off-season after two years of disappointing play. They also brought in veteran free agent Elfrid Payton to supplement the deficiencies of The Frenchman.

While Frank’s future with the Knicks was in jeopardy, he managed to stay on the team and will compete for another season. This could be his final opportunity to prove his worth and increase his scoring production in an attempt to overtake Payton for the number two point guard spot.

Ntilikina will likely be on the active roster for the start of the regular season, but will he start a game in 2019 or will he come off the bench as a situational player?

I imagine a head coach David Fizdale will utilize Frank in defensive scenarios and extract value in that sense. Averaging just 5.9 points per game over the past two seasons does not spur optimism regarding an increase in production.

However, during the FIBA World Cup, he averaged over eight points per game and showed improvement on the offensive side of the ball. His defense was stellar and even outshined Kemba Walker when the French national team beat team USA in a historic victory.

Where does Frank Ntilikina stand with the New York Knicks?

Ntilikina will likely enter the season as the Knicks number three-point guard behind Dennis Smith Jr. and Payton. Smith will start the season due to his youth and potential moving forward, but Payton offers a good security blanket given his proven qualities. If Frank can average 10 to 15 minutes per game, that could give him the necessary time to develop and show he has elevated his game. They say that three times the charm and Ntilikina is undoubtedly running out of time.

I believe that this upcoming season will present the best opportunity for the point guard, considering the pressure being alleviated and his comfort level increases. His first two years of shooting the basketball were horrendous, but that doesn’t mean his third season will be bad. He has combined for 35.4% from the field and 30.5% on three-pointers. That resulted in just 5.9 points per game over 20 minutes. Ntilikina surely hasn’t given us reason to believe he can reach his potential, but we’ve seen crazier things happen in the NBA.

One ex-NBA player thinks the New York Knicks can make the playoffs

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New York Knicks

This past Vegas Summer League there was one ex-NBA player who believes the New York Knicks can make the playoffs.  Kendrick Perkins was asked about the Knicks upcoming season in a quick interview.

Perkins stated, “I don’t think they’re at the bottom like people think they are.”  He continued, “I wouldn’t be surprised if the Knicks make the playoffs.”

Perkins complimented coach David Fizdale’s championship coaching background in Miami.  As well as the moves that general manager Scott Perry made, both in the free agency and the draft.  He ended with the Knicks having some good young pieces and they will be “alright.”

The Knicks did have a good off-season, despite what people may think.  They did not add the best pieces, but they added the right pieces.  Perry tried to find players that would fit the system that Fizdale wants to run.  However, it is up-in-the-air with what system Fizdale wants to run this year.

Julius Randle, Marcus Morrs, Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton, Taj Gibson and Wayne Ellington were the Knicks off-season additions.  We can’t forget to mention the 3rd overall pick, RJ Barrett, who has the mindset and ability to be the face of the franchise down the line.

Last season was more offensive heavy.  A lot of screens and pick-and-rolls.  The Knicks were able to score, sort-of, but it was the defense that was the issue.

The defensive presence was lacking and, at sometimes, non-existent.  If the Knicks want any shot at making the playoffs, the defense needs to be improved.  Similar to what Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier said, “Defense is everything to me.”  Mitchell Robinson, Morris, Randle and Frank Ntilikina will be the guys on defense to propel the team.

Not many are selecting the Knicks to make the playoffs next season.  Many fans believe the Knicks can be a 30-35 win team, which will be a major improvement from a 17-win season last year.  Even if the Knicks don’t make the playoffs, taking a step forward in all areas of the game will make next season a ‘win’ regardless.

This is the key for the New York Knicks to make the playoffs

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New York Knicks, Knicks, Mitchell Robinson

Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier believes their is only one thing that the New York Knicks must do make the playoffs.  At a PUMA event, Frazier said, “The key to winning is always defense to me.”

Frazier wants coach David Fizdale to turn the defense up a notch and apply full-court pressure.  The Knicks have a very deep bench, maybe one of the deepest in the league.  So with that depth, all players need to be utilized in a way that provides suffering defense for 48-minutes.

The Garden faithful does love good defense from the Knicks.  While scoring points and hitting big shots gets the crowd hyped, the fans really get behind the Knicks when they display intense, up-beat defense.  Just like about the hard-nosed 90’s Knicks.  The Garden went crazy when Ewing, Oakley and Mason defended the paint.

The Knicks added good defensive pieces to their already young roster.

Mitchell Robinson is the main piece when we talk defense.  The blocking sensation is now 100% healthy and ready to take over the center position.  Robinson hurt his knee, keeping him out of participating for team USA in the FIBA World Cup.

The Knicks added Marcus Morris, who has always provided hard-nose defense and will defend him teammates at all cost.  He is not afraid to bang down-low and get rebounds.  Morris has been the player that you hate to play against, but love when he is on your team.

Frank Ntilikina and Daymean Dotson are probably the two best overall defenders for the Knicks.  They can key on their assignment and stick to their man the entire length of the floor.

The Knicks also added Bobby Portis, a 6’11’ center averaging 8.6 total rebounds a game for his career.  He is a gritty player, who is looking to be the Sixth Man of the Year and the leader of the Knicks bench.

Frazier added, “They realize they’re not an elite team, but if they give 100 percent, they’ll get the support of the Garden. With very aggressive defense, they can make the playoffs.”  Frazier is could not be more correct with his comments.  The Knicks are already looking to shock people this season and it will start with their defense.

New York Knicks: Has Frank Ntilikina finally developed his offensive game?

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

When the New York Knicks gained Dennis Smith Jr. in the Kristaps Porzingis trade with the Dallas Mavericks, second-year point guard Frank Ntilikina realized his privilege of constant chances was coming to an end.

The former first-round pick has been a bust since entering the league, averaging just 5.9 points per game after being a highly-touted prospect from France. Another gift from Phil Jackson — however, Ntilikina is a stellar defender, despite his offensive woes.

The Frenchman has struggled in the scoring department, not for lack of trying. Heaving up jump shots and three-pointers in practice haven’t translated to live-games, but he may have finally cracked the code.

Recently, Frank earned a bronze medal with the French National Team during the FIBA World Cup, completing besting All-Star PG Kemba Walker in their victory over team USA. Not only were his defensive qualities on display, but his offense was solid too.

In a recent NY Post article, known scout Nick Hauselman reviewed the third-year point guard’s offensive development:

“The big thing was his willingness to shoot the basketball from distance, and his ability to hit floaters was 1B,” Hauselman told The Post. “That’s something he had been terrible at. Suddenly he’s nailing those. He wasn’t passing up shots. It looked like that was changing with FIBA — catching and shooting, shooting off the dribble, being much more decisive.”

The Knicks will have to decide on Ntilikina, but they will give him one final opportunity to prove his worth on the court. He will count $6.19 million against the cap next year if the last season on his rookie deal is executed. I can’t imagine the Knicks forfeiting that much money on a player that can’t beat out Elfrid Payton for the backup point guard spot.

Can Frank Ntilikina finally provide value for the New York Knicks?

Aside from his defensive abilities, Ntilikina must show he can put points on the board this upcoming season. During FIBA play, he averaged eight points, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 turnovers — better numbers than his NBA totals. Some might argue that the differentiation in talent provides the difference, and that’s a fair argument to make. However, his performance against team USA shows he’s capable of more with the Knicks, and he needs to tap into that confidence.