frank ntilikina

Taking a look at Zach Lowe’s New York Knicks rant

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New York Knicks, James Dolan

Whenever people talk about the New York Knicks anymore it’s always negative.  Maybe not to a majority of Knicks fans, but NBA fans.  People can’t seem to find anything positive about them, outside Knicks fans.

Zach Lowe went off about the Knicks on his podcast ‘The Lowe Post‘.  The whole rant was not needed.  To sum it up quickly, Lowe stated, “The Knicks just suck. Every year they suck.  There’s no hope for them to not suck.  We thought there was hope for them to not suck all of last year.”  A little harsh on Knicks fans Zach, wouldn’t you say?

Lowe continued, “Why would you come”, meaning coming to play in New York.  He then mocked Knicks fans are thinking that they would have the cap space in 2021 for Giannis Antetokounmpo.  To be honest, he isn’t coming to New York, so we can end that now.

He then moved towards Kristaps Porzingis.  Lowe mentioned that there would be Knicks fan protesting before Halloween if Porzingis gets off to a hot start at the beginning of the season, like he usually does.

Lowe shifted towards the Knicks owner next saying, “You can’t bad mouth” (him) and fans will be kicked out of the Garden this season.  He isn’t wrong here.  The big man isn’t afraid to do that if he hears anything remotely bad about himself or the team.  Imagine if there’s protesting?  Fans will be getting kicked out left and right.

Towards the end of his rant, Lowe began to be somewhat positive about the Knicks roster.  He said Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson are all “interesting.”  The Knicks just drafted RJ Barrett too, but Lowe believe they’re going to “Suck again and get another high pick.”  Lowe tossed in another dig at the Knicks mentioning Frank “Ntilikina who was better for France for 2 weeks then he ever was for the Knicks so far.”

Towards the end of the rant, Lowe contradicted himself once.  He mentioned the Knicks situation is “not that bad.”  But, there is no hope for the Knicks and they will always be bad, according to Lowe.  Trying to pull Knicks fans back in after devaluing their team?  Not so fast.

Knicks fans on Twitter expressed their disgusted with Lowe after this rant, many which can’t be posted.  However, there are some points were Lowe isn’t wrong.

First off, saying that the Knicks “suck” was accurate.  They did “suck” last season.  There was definitely a lot of hope and that went straight the drain.  The 3 players he mentioned, Smith Jr., Knox and Robinson are “interesting” and should have better seasons.  There’s a lot of hope for them.  His take on Ntilikina was true.  But, that was the opportunity the Ntilikina needed to hopefully translate his game to the NBA.

But, saying there is no hope for the Knicks is just disrespectful.  Yes, all Knicks fans have been there before, saying those exact words.  For once in the team’s history, there is hope.  They have a lot of young “interesting” talent and good foundations for the future.

What is there to be so negative about?  Yes, all Knicks fans want to win.  The Knicks have tried to quick fixes in the past and it backfired.  It was time to start from the ground up and that’s what the Knicks are doing.  Scott Perry turned around the Sacramento Kings into having a good, young up-and-coming roster, why not the Knicks now?

People bashing the Knicks is never going to stop until they’re actually winning again.  Until then, this is how it’s always going to be.  Tough to be a Knicks fan these days, but better days are coming, despite what Lowe thinks.

New York Knicks optimistic to surprise the NBA this upcoming season

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

Players of the New York Knicks continue to remain very optimistic about this upcoming season.  Point guard Frank Ntilikina was on the French Knicks Podcast, confirming what his other teammates have already said.

“This year, we will surprise the entire NBA”, Ntilikina said.  He then added, “as I did with the French team at the World Cup.”

Empire Sports Media have been covering these Knicks and their ‘dog’ mentality all off-season.

It all started with Bobby Portis adopting that mentality and it spread like wildfire throughout the team.  Wayne Ellington, Elfrid Payton and Dennis Smith Jr. all mentioned it, as well as looking to ‘shock’ people through various interviews.

You can now add Ntilikina to that list.

Ntilikina’s game took a giant leap forward in the FIBA World Cup.  He appeared aggressive and confident in his shot, especially beyond the arc.  Even when Ntilikina had a sub-par first half, he came on strong in the second with confidence oozing out of him.  He will need that confidence to earn time over Smith Jr.

Smith Jr. and Ntilikina both entering their 3rd year in the league are looking to take major steps forward.  Ntilikina begun his leap this summer with France.  His teammates raved about him throughout the World Cup, through his play and work ethic.  Smith Jr. has also been working hard to improve his shot and be a leader for the Knicks.  Ntilikina too, wants to be a leader.  Be prepared for a point guard battle.

At least every player on the Knicks are on the same page with their mentality and play for this season.  The main thing for this team is to be with one another and bond like a family.  It appears they are doing so, lets hope that all of this talk translates to the court.

The New York Knicks gained a trusted shooter in Wayne Ellington

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New York Knicks, Wayne Ellington

One of the priorities for the New York Knicks this off-season was to add several capable shooters. Bringing in veterans Julius Randle and Marcus Morris will undoubtedly help in that facet, but three-point specialist Wayne Ellington will be a focal point during the 2019-20 season.

Last season, New York was one of the league’s worst three-point shooting teams. On the year, they converted just 34% of their threes which ranked 28th in the NBA.

The ultimate issue for the Knicks was that players with low percentages were heaving up shots at an astronomical rate. For example, Dennis Smith Jr. launched four three-pointers per game in his 21 contests with the Knicks. He converted on just 1.1 of them.

In addition, Frank Nitilikina shot 28.7% from beyond the arc on 2.7 attempts per game. This season, that number should elevate exponentially, why? Because players like Ellington, Morris, and Randle will all have better numbers and be more efficient in that category.

In comparison, Ellington averaged 10.3 points per game while with the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons last season. He hit on 37.1% of his 7 treys per game.

The New York Knicks needed to add a player like Wayne Ellington:

Adding a trusted shooter from beyond the arc will give the Knicks more room on the floor and better scoring production. Lacking good numbers in that category is simply unacceptable for the modern-day NBA, which is heavily reliant on the three-point shot.

The Knicks signed Ellington to a two-year, $16 million contract that could end up being a bargain considering his qualities and skill set. It is unlikely he emerges as a starter on the team, but he can certainly be an influential player down the road. I expect him to be a rotational piece that head coach David Fizdale looks to utilize in specific ways and scenarios.

Consistent minutes seems to be in Ellington’s future, especially if he can maintain his efficiency from three-point land.

New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina has one final chance to prove his worth

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks have struggled to find a consistent point guard over the last few seasons, as French national Frank Ntilikina has been unable to prove his worth on the court.

Several demotions from the starting rotation have forced Frank down the depth chart and will now start the season as the number three point guard. However, the Frenchman has seemingly revitalized himself at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He played with more confidence attacking the rim and put his defensive qualities is on display once again. His field-goal percentage hovered around 45%, a much better number than he produced with the Knicks.

This off-season has been plagued with trade rumors involving Nitilikina, but he hasn’t let that phase him in his attempt to make a come back in the NBA and show he can be a valuable asset moving forward. Initially, Frank struggled with the pace of the NBA and his offense took a major hit due to the difference in quality from international play. However, he has been given plenty of time to develop and gain experience. The Knicks need him to finally reach his potential, as they cannot continue to utilize him in only defensive scenarios.

I am motivated, determined to succeed with the Knicks jersey. Being at this moment the one who wears the jersey since the longest time in the roster is a responsibility, and to deserve the respect of the Knicks fans, it will be only by the daily work with dedication every day in the training sessions to create the best systems to win games.

With Dennis Smith Jr. and Elfrid Payton the first two-point guard slots, it’s essential that Ntilikina elevates his game, especially in regards to his scoring efficiency. Improving upon his weaknesses will give him the playing time he needs to show he can be of value, but it all starts with putting points on the board and being aggressive.

New York Knicks: Smith Jr. has a chip on his shoulder

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The New York Knicks, possible, future point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is looking to prove something this season.  Smith Jr. has been working extremely hard this off-season to lock down the starting point guard spot.

Smith Jr.’s work this summer must pay off as there is no guarantee that he starts, according to Coach Fizdale.  But, there are videos of Smith Jr.’s improved shot with a tucked arm that looks clean, but it is not in game situations.  He will be competing for minutes with Elfrid Payton, Frank Ntilikina and Allonzo Trier.

In a interview with Youtuber ‘SEE HENDO’, Smith Jr. stated, ““I’ve got a chip on my shoulder still, but I’ve just been working. I try to attack each day and look at it as if I didn’t leave anything on the table. I got the most out of my day. … I’m gonna come in, bring that into training camp and be a leader, lead by example, earn my respect from these guys and then carry that into the season.”

Smith Jr. wants to be a leader.  He is going to have to show that he can do that with his play on-and-off the court this season.  Not having a definite starter at the point guard position could just be motivation by Fizdale.  Smith Jr. has the skill set and potential to be the Knicks long-term starting point guard.  His explosiveness gives him the ability to be a superstar in this league.

He is poised for a big year with the Knicks.  The expectations are high for Smith Jr., solely based off his improvements fans have seen this summer.  Expectations are not as high for the entire team.  If he can be the leader that he wants to be, the Knicks can shock people like they want to do.

Are New York Knicks already different?

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new york knicks, kevin knox

Two youngsters and a New York Knicks legend were at a PUMA Monday night event.  The event was for Walt Frazier’s new PUMA shoe.  Along with Frazier, second-year man Kevin Knox and the 3rd overall pick, RJ Barrett.

Frazier’s new shoe was not only the biggest topic of conversation for the evening.  Knox and Barrett answered questions about the current state of the Knicks and outlook for the upcoming season.

Knox went onto say that practices have a “whole new tenacity” and they are fierce.  He continued to say that this team is “different” and the players are “hungry.”  There was a feeling already that they Knicks are bringing a different culture this season.  Players have been vocal with how they interpret this team.

Bobby Portis and other Knicks said this team as a bunch of “dogs” and they are ready to “shock” people.  It seems that Knox is another one to add to that group.

However, the biggest take away from that article was Knox saying the team is “bonding.”  If you want to build a winning product the team has to be close.  Knox and several other teammates attended the Jets-Browns game last night and we all saw the ‘family lunch-in’ photo and players working out together.

The practices have been competitive and players have gotten better, according to Knox.  Case-in-point, Frank Ntilikina and his fine play that he displayed throughout the FIBA World Cup.  The Knicks talk trash, play hard, but are still a family and smile after all the battles in practices, according to Knox.

It is a good start for the Knicks this season and this is the stuff you definitely want to hear.  However, fans will want to see all of this talk on the court this season.  Love the optimism, but show us through the teams play.

New York Knicks: Will Ntilikina’s FIBA Play Carry Over to Next Season?

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

France knocked off the United States in the FIBA World Cup, and New York Knicks‘ guard Frank Ntilikina was a vital part of the historic upset. Will his play transfer over to the coming NBA regular season?

France was among the select few contenders worthy of a shot at dethroning Team USA this summer. Despite the United States has not a single “superstar”, many assumed the state of international basketball had surely caught up closer to the United States than in recent memory.

When France ultimately knocked the United States out of the World Cup 89-79 on Wednesday, that belief became a statement of fact. And New York Knicks’ guard Frank Nitilikinia was a vital part of making history in their upset win.

Flourishing FIBA Play

Ntilikina hasn’t gone on a scoring explosion by any means (his highest-scoring game to date was 11 points against the United States). Instead, he’s been a solid rebounder and stout defender, averaging 1.3 steals per game and averaging an 8.8 +/- through six FIBA games (fiba.basketball.com).

It has been a solid performance from Nitilikina throughout the tournament so far, and one could argue he’s been one of the few summer bright spots for the Knicks (after watching their two coveted free agents choose the team over in Brooklyn).

The question is, will Frank Nitilikina’s FIBA experience transition to the coming NBA season? Will he even get the opportunity?

Nitilikina’s Knicks future has seemingly been uncertain ever since he was taken eight overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. He’s averaged just 21.0 minutes per game and through 121 games played has started just 25 of them (ProBasketballReference). If the spare minutes didn’t speak to his uncertain future, then the Knicks’ personnel moves of the past likely do.

The Decision for 2020-2021

New York has traded for Trey Burke, Dennis Smith Jr, and this summer signed Elfrid Payton. All players who the front office hoped had brought some stability to the point guard position. But after a strong FIBA outing, will Ntilikina finally get a shot at proving himself?

It would be timely nonetheless, the Knicks must decide whether to exercise their $6.2 million option for the 2020-2021 season. Don’t forget that Ntilikina was the last draft pick of Phil Jackson, so despite his strong international play do they instead want to move in a new direction regardless?

Ahead of a season that just can’t be thrown away (we saw how that ended this past summer), the Knicks’ should look to find strengths from all possible options on the court. Fans want to see improvement and development this season, not another tank job. All roster options should be examined.

That includes Frank Ntilikina running the point, and this season may be different than the past. After a strong performance on an international stage, that just might be the x-factor in Ntilikina’s development. The hope is that he continues that next step in a Knicks jersey, as opposed to somewhere else.

 

New York Knicks: Can Frank Ntilikina earn starting minutes next season?

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

Most fans have seemed to write off New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina before the beginning of the 2019-20 season. The reality is, he’s been a lackluster scorer since entering the league two years ago. Averaging just 5.9 points per game in two seasons has thrust him to the bottom of the pecking order. He will likely start behind Dennis Smith Jr. and Elfrid Payton this season as he claws for playing time.

While Ntilikina has failed to produce for the Knicks in the NBA, he has been in menace for the French national team this FIBA World Cup. He played a key role in derailing the USA basketball team and their 58-game win streak. He dominated against NBA quality players and showed that he can compete at a level high enough to succeed in the pros.

Frank is known for his defensive quality while his offensive production is reduced. However, against the USA basketball team, he looked even better than stars like Kemba Walker and Donovan Mitchell. The 21-year-old swung the momentum towards France in the fourth quarter, playing incredible defense and hitting a buzzer-beating dagger with two minutes and 15 seconds left to play.

The interesting thing about The Frenchman is that his stat line never jumps off the page. He recorded 11 points and five of nine shooting with one rebound and three assists. But he was +22 for the game, the second-best mark of any player on the floor.

His impressive performance begs the question:

Can Ntilikina earn playing time for the New York Knicks during the regular season?

Slated behind Smith Jr. and Payton, it will be difficult for him to crack the roster and play serviceable minutes. Despite that reality, he is still an outstanding defender and can be used in that facet.

If he can continue to hound opposing guards and shoot and even average level from the field, he could be a valuable asset for the Knicks in today’s NBA. Acting as a glorified utility player and situational point guard, Frank can be an integral part of the team, but he must play with confidence and understand his strengths and weaknesses.

New York Knicks now need to pick up Ntilikina’s option

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks have until Halloween to pick up Frank Ntilikina’s fourth year, 2020-21 team option.  That season Ntilikina is scheduled to make $6.2 million.  The Knicks have then a qualifying offer for $8.3 million in 2021-22.  If not offered, Ntilikina becomes a unrestricted free-agent.

The Knicks will have a pretty big decision to make when it comes to Ntilikina’s future.  Solely based on his performance in the FIBA World Cup, his fourth year option should be picked up.

Ntilikina has proven that he is growing as a player.  His confidence continues to grow along with his aggressiveness to get to the rim.  Ntilikina is averaging 7.7 points per game, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals during the tournament.  He is also shooting over 40% beyond in the arc.

Despite all the positives that are coming out FIBA for Ntilikina, he is still developing.  Ntilikina is a few years away from being a above average starter, but he will get there.

In his biggest game against the USA, Ntilikina drove the ball well in the second half and had a confident shot.  Driving to the rim is not his first or second instinct.  But, it is something he has been working on and seems to have the ability to improve when putting the work in.

If Ntilikina is able to bring all his improvements to the NBA this season, he should get 15-20 per game this season.  The Knicks organization need to be watching when France plays to see the progression of Ntilikina.  Knicks fans have definitely been watching, lets hope David Fizdale has been too.

New York Knicks: Ntilikina hits daggers against USA

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

New York Knicks point guard, Frank Ntilikina, hit the biggest shots of his life against the USA this morning.  France defeated USA 89-79 in the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup.

While we watch and cheer for the USA, Knicks fans also want to see Ntilkina succeed.  Ntilikina ended up with 11 points on 5/9 shooting from the floor, 56%.  He added 3 assists and a steal.

However, the confidence and aggressiveness Ntilikina displayed down the stretch helped propel France over USA.

Ntilikina did not have a god first half and usually he would not get another chance to redeem, if this was the Knicks.  However, the overwhelming support and positive remarks from his coach and teammates had faith in him.

Ntilikina had a strong, catch and drive with France down 5 points.  This is what Knicks fans want to see out of him.  He appears to be playing with all the confidence in the world with France and improving on his aggressiveness.

With France down 3, Ntilikina hit a gigantic 3 for France tying the game at 76.  As you can see, the confidence was pouring out of Ntilikina, as he took a few dribbles and sunk the contested shot.

As if those first few were not enough, Ntilikina then even hit an even bigger 3 for his home country.  Ntilikina was feeling it since he nailed a contested step back 3 to basically seal the game for France.

This is exactly what fans want to see out of Ntilikina.  This is the confidence boost that he needs to turn himself into a valuable piece for the Knicks future.  Everyone knows what Frank could be and hopefully this is the start of that.

In the FIBA World Cup, Ntilikina is showing that if he is given support, he can produce for his team.  All we can say is, hopefully coach David Fizdale was watching this game and begins to have the confidence in Ntilikina that his home country coach and teammates already have.