frank ntilikina

How the New York Knicks will likely use Frank Ntilikina moving forward

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks were utterly dominant in the win over to Sacramento on Thursday evening. Winning by nearly 20 points, it was practically a blowout, led by some of the Knicks’ young players. However, we can’t disregard the performances by Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, and Alec Burks, who hit five three-pointers and scored 19 points in the fourth quarter.

The veterans showed up to play, leading the charge and giving the neophytes an opportunity to thrive against one of the worst defenses in the NBA. The Kings couldn’t handle the Knicks on offense, and it led to a nice comeback performance from Frank Ntilikina, who has been out for the past few weeks. With Elfird Payton missing his first game of the season with a hamstring injury, it offered Ntilikina an opportunity to showcase his skills on the floor in front of head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Luckily for Frank, his primary strength was on display, and it is one that Thibodeau values extremely highly.

“His defense was fantastic,” Tom Thibodeau said.

Like many professional sports, matchups ultimately decide the tempo and flow of the game. Frank, utilizing his athleticism and pesky defense, was able to stick to De’Aaron Fox for a majority of the contest. While Fox did land 29 points, Ntilikina did a great job on the floor, recording three steals and two assists, finishing with a +17 +/-.

“It was matchups,’’ Thibodeau said. “I wanted to get a look at Frank. We have a lot of confidence in everyone on the roster. It was Frank’s opportunity, he went in and took advantage of it and played well. His defense was fantastic.’’

Returning from a long spell on the bench, as The Frenchman dealt with COVID-19, which followed a sprained knee that cost him three weeks, meant a lot to the young player.

“It was a long stretch,’’ Frank said. “There was so much happiness and motivation to do more.’’

There’s still value to be had for the Knicks with Frank:

Ntilikina is the longest tenure Knick, and at just 22 years old, Thibodeau got a taste of what he’s capable of doing. If he’s able to improve his offense, which we’ve been saying for quite some time, he could be an everyday player for New York, but he needs to prove consistency before anything.

“When you come back from a long stretch, with [Thibodeau] I’ll get more comfortable on the court,’’ Ntilikina said. “I was so happy to be on the court, to be able to compete with my teammates. I was really happy, so I had a lot of energy. I definitely felt good.’’

Once Payton returns to the lineup, I don’t expect to see Frank as much, but he’s a defensive weapon that Thibodeau will see as an asset as the season progresses. Expect the Knicks to utilize him in specific matchups with more athletic guards.

3 New York Knicks players that could be traded

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New York Knicks, Austin Rivers

The New York Knicks are actively scouring the trade market for ways to improve their team, as they recently acquired Derrick Rose, sending point guard Dennis Smith Jr. to the Detroit Pistons. Smith Jr. was “all smiles” after being treated by the Knicks, and now they can finally move on from what was a massive mistake several years ago.

Rose has already shown his quality on the court, scoring 14 points over 20 minutes in his first game this season. The Knicks are currently 11-15, four games from .500. The most recent loss of the Miami Heat was disappointing, as they had a slight advantage going into the fourth quarter and blew a late lead, coming up short for a second consecutive night.

Once New York can close out tight games, it will make them a far more exciting team. One way they can improve their performance is to strike a trade for a premium asset. However, they would have to part ways with some of their current talent.

Three tradeable players for the New York Knicks:

1.) Elfrid Payton

One player that might draw some attention is Elfrid Payton, who is averaging 12.1 points per game and 3.7 assists. He was far more resourceful with the ball in his hands last year, averaging 7.2 assists per game, but his aggressive defense is why Tom Thibodeau continues to utilize him as a starter. There’s likely a team out there looking for a solid defender and reserve point guard to utilize in a rotational aspect. The Knicks are preparing to thrust Immanuel Quickley into the starting role at some point, which makes Payton expendable, especially since he’s on a one year contract.

2.) Frank Ntilikina

There’s always a need for a quality defender on the bench, but the Knicks have completely disregarded Frank Ntilikina over 26 games. He’s only made four appearances, and at 22 years old, a team out there will likely see the value in his fantastic defense.

There is still potential left offensively, but they have tried every which way to improve his scoring abilities. He has never averaged more than 6.3 points per game, and Thibodeau is looking for players who can put points on the board as well as dominate on defense.

I see the value that Ntilikina has, but at the end of the day, if Thibodeau isn’t going to utilize him, it is best to cash in on his value.

3.) Austin Rivers

The Knicks landed Austin Rivers on a three-year, $9.975 million contract this past off-season. While he started the year nursing an injury, he has provided a spark with his solid dribbling and off-ball movement.

He’s averaging just 8.1 points per game, which has value as a rotational player off the bench. At some point, he seems like he could be an adequate starter, but inconsistencies have dismantled his case. He is shooting a bit better from the field and three-point line, but nothing to be overzealous about.

Rivers is a player who could draw some attention on the market, and if the Knicks could package a few players together to land a more valuable asset, it might be worthwhile to explore a trade.

New York Knicks: Just how good is the Knicks’ defense 18 games?

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New York Knicks

Tom Thibodeau, Mike Woodson, Kenny Payne, Johnny Bryant, along with the rest of the developmental staff are in the midst of a culture change with the young New York Knicks roster. The Knicks are currently number one in the entire NBA in least opposing points scored against and opposing three-point field goal percentage. The scary part about this early accomplishment is the fact that there’s still upside for the Knicks defensively.

The men sporting the orange and blue are succeeding in Coach Tom Thibodeau’s defensive schemes. Thibs has been laying out floor plans for victories, and the Knicks have been executing to the best of their abilities. The young Knicks roster have bought in on the coach, and they’re still getting acclimated to each other. This is a young season full of promise, especially while watching inexperienced and talented players work and gain confidence in their crafts under a veteran, savvy coaching staff.

The return of Frank Ntilikina for the Knicks will be interesting because the French born combo guard is arguably the Knicks’ best perimeter defender. Ntilikina’s frame includes being 6’6” tall while possessing a 7’1” wingspan. He’s a menace defensively already at the age of 22 years old. Ntilikina can help take pressure off Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton in the backcourt.

Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley are two rookies who’ve shown flashes on both ends of the basketball court. Toppin has shown the ability to use his athleticism defensively. The Dayton “High” Flyer is understanding defensive positioning in the NBA. Quickley is using his length at the point guard position to his advantage. The former Kentucky Wildcat possesses solid defensive IQ. He’s also aggressive but still learning on the defensive end of the court.

Overall, the Knicks are in position to become better defensively under Tom Thibodeau. Healthy young roster depth allows the New York Knicks to play an ultra-aggressive defensive style. Knick fans might have to get used to the Knicks being a top-three defense in the NBA. It’s definitely a welcoming sight.

Randle too much to handle for Cavs as Knicks post 2nd straight win

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Julius Randle reported to the New York Knicks’ training camp in great shape.

Now he‘s reaping the benefits in what is shaping up to be a career year.

The Knicks rode on their defense and Randle’s triple-double to deal the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss of the season, 95-86, at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

Triple-double special

With Kevin Love missing the game due to a right calf strain, Randle proved to be too much to handle for the Cavaliers.

Randle played 44 minutes and produced 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists for his seventh career triple-double and first as a Knick.

He started strong and finished stronger.

Randle set the tone on the offensive end with 14 points and five assists in the opening quarter as the Knicks raced to a 29-15 lead. Then the seven-year veteran put the exclamation point with a pullup jumper in the last 23.7 seconds.

Defending the 3

The Cavaliers averaged 122.3 points entering the game, but the Knicks’ stingy defense held them down to their lowest output in four starts. For the second straight game, the Knicks have limited their opponents to just seven triples.

Clearly, Tom Thibodeau is starting to affect a real change within the Knicks.

And it all starts with Randle being eager to become a better leader.

“They challenged me going into the offseason to come back a better player,’’ Randle said postgame.

Last season saw Randle thrown into a leadership role for the first time in his career. Randle didn’t handle it well. The lack of spacing and the dysfunction within the organization exacerbated the situation.

But Thibodeau’s arrival has ushered in a career revival for Randle.

“I’m going to put that pressure on myself as well to challenge myself and get better every year. Last year was a great learning experience for me. But this year, I’m coming back a better player and came back in great shape,” Randle continued. “And that’s just part of the culture we’re building. We’re competing and not backing down from anybody.’’

Culture of accountability

The culture of accountability that Thibodeau has brought with him is beginning to push the envelope. Suddenly, there is hope.

“I think the first part is [Randle] came into camp in great shape,’’ Thibodeau said. “I saw what type of shape he was in, so I knew he was highly motivated. So I think that’s a big advantage for him. I also think he has a pretty good understanding of his teammates and what their strengths are. And he’s playing unselfishly.’’

After his 11-assist effort, Randle has hiked his assist-average to a career-high 6.3, more than doubling his 3.1 average the past two seasons.

Sharing is caring

Reggie Bullock, often a recipient of a Randle kick-out pass, had 17 points on 5-of-9 three-point shooting.

The constant ball movement that Thibodeau has been preaching has given the Knicks open looks and rhythm shots. Through four games, they are leading the league in three-point accuracy at 45.9 percent, a stunning turnaround after being the fourth-worst last season.

Against the Cavaliers, they made 14 of 25 3s. Randle was 4-for-4 while Elfrid Payton knocked down two as he continued his stellar play.

Finding consistency

Payton followed up his epic performance against the Milwaukee Bucks with another brilliant all-around game. He tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists as he begins to settle down with the starting role at the backcourt.

Meanwhile, Frank Ntilikina was productive off the bench as Payton’s chief backup. The Frenchman was all over the court, putting together five points, three boards, two dimes, and two steals in 16 minutes.

RJ Barrett had another rough shooting night (4-of-15) but still found a way to contribute 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Mitchell Robinson also held his own against Andre Drummond, putting up nine points, 10 rebounds, and two blocked shots.

The Knicks were missing five players forcing Thibodeau to shorten his rotation to eight with his starters playing between 31 minutes (Robinson) and 44 minutes (Randle).

Rookies Immanuel Quickley (hip pointer), Obi Toppin (right calf strain), Omari Spellman (sore right knee), Austin Rivers (sore groin), and Dennis Smith Jr. (left quad contusion) remained on the sickbay.

Turnover woes

While the Knicks were red-hot, there were some anxious moments, too, as fatigue took its toll. The Knicks had to buck 25 turnovers to pull off the victory in the opener of their four-game road trip. Two eight-second shot clock violations by the Knicks enabled the Cavaliers to come within seven in the closing minutes.

Randle, who accounted for nine errors, atoned himself by producing the first 20-point triple-double in the Knicks history since Carmelo Anthony in 2012. That season also marked the last time the Knicks advanced to the playoffs.

What’s next?

The Knicks will continue their road trip in Tampa Bay, the temporary home of the Toronto Raptors. The Knicks will go for a third straight win against the still winless Raptors on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Undermanned Knicks hope to start win streak against unbeaten Cavs

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New York Knicks

Two weeks ago, the New York Knicks looked like the much better team beating the Cleveland Cavaliers twice — an epic come-from-behind win and a 36-point ass whooping — with rookie Immanuel Quickley starring at the backcourt.

But so much has changed since the preseason.

The Knicks lost Quickley and a lot more to the injury bug, while the Cavaliers are enjoying their finest start at 3-0 since LeBron James left them for the second time.

Despite riding high on a morale-boosting 20-point rout of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Knicks will have to make do with a thin backcourt against the Cavaliers, which boasts of the dynamic pair of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland.

Sexton is averaging 27 points (tied for eighth in the league) and 3.7 assists, while Garland is norming 19 points and 8.3 dimes (seventh in the league).

Injury bug

The Knicks are still without Quickley (hip pointer), Obi Toppin (right calf strain), Omari Spellman (sore right knee), Austin Rivers (sore groin), and Dennis Smith Jr. (left quad contusion), who stayed behind in New York for rehab.

Kevin Knox is also dealing with a sore left knee, and his status for this game is probable, while Alec Burks is questionable after spraining his left ankle in their win against the Bucks.

On the other hand, the Cavaliers are also missing several key players, including Kevin Love (right calf strain) and rookie Isaac Okoro (left foot sprain). Kevin Porter Jr. is also out for personal reasons, while Matthew Dellavedova (concussion) and Dylan Windler (left-hand fracture) join Love and Okoro in the injury list.

Time to step up

Frenchman guard Frank Ntilikina, who drained all his four triples last Sunday night, will have the chance to prove himself after the Knicks declined to extend him.

Ntilikina is having a roller-coaster season after getting buried on the bench in favor of Quickley and Burks. But without Quickley and possibly Burks, Ntilikina is expected to play backup to Elfrid Payton.

Payton also hopes to pick up from where he left off. The 26-year old guard rebounded from a scoreless outing against the Philadelphia 76ers. He set the tone of the Bucks’ rout with a 27-point and 7-assist effort in what easily became his best game as a Knick.

Randle too much to handle

Without Kevin Love, Julius Randle will be too much to handle for the Cavaliers.

Randle is expected to impose his will against his former Lakers teammate Larry Nance Jr. who will replace Love in the starting unit.

Randle has benefited from Thibodeau’s ball movement philosophy. The 6-foot-8 power forward is off to the best start of his seven-year career.

He’s leading the Knicks in all three major categories — 23.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists — as he continues to thrive in a playmaking forward role.

RJ Barrett will also have a clearer path to attack the rim without Okoro, the Cavaliers’ best lockdown defender.

Barrett has also embraced being a playmaker, dishing out 4.3 assists per game on top of his 17.7-point and 7.3-rebound average.

Stats and matchups to watch

The Cavaliers average 122.3 points in their 3-0 start (118 vs. Philadelphia, 128 vs. Detroit, 121 vs. Charlotte) on the strength of their league-leading 31.3 assists per game.

Five Cavaliers are averaging in double figures, led by Sexton and double-double machine Andre Drummond (20.3 points, 11.0 rebounds). 

Payton and Ntilkina will have their hands full against Sexton and Garland. But so are Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel, who have to be smart with their fouls against Drummond.

Javale McGee is also proving to be a solid acquisition for the Cavaliers. The former Lakers’ center has been putting up 10.3 points and five rebounds in 16.7 minutes as Drummond’s backup.

Cleveland is currently no. 2 in the league in defensive rating at 100.3, next to Brooklyn’s 98.3.

With all the injuries they’re dealing with, the Knicks must click on all cylinders to have a chance. They are only averaging 108.7 points per game and can go into a scoring drought as they did in the Sixers loss where they only scored 89.

The Knicks’ 112.6 defensive rating ranks 21st in the league. If they can duplicate the defensive wall they put up against Giannis Antetokoumpo and the Bucks, the Knicks could give the Cavaliers their first loss of the season.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

New York Knicks: Is Frank Ntilikina finally ready to break out?

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks have a problem at point guard, and that was a reality before the regular season even began last week. Just 12 minutes into his first NBA game, rookie guard Immanuel Quickley suffered a hip pointer injury that will keep them out for a couple of days. His momentum during the preseason inspired the Knicks and gave them a true threat from a spot that has been lackluster in recent years.

If not for an elite performance by Elfrid Payton against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday evening, there would be little to no help regarding the point guard spot this year. Payton went 12-for-16 from the field and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, finishing with 27 points and seven assists. However, Payton is not a consistent option, considering the game before he missed every shot and recorded zero points over 18 minutes. When your PG is as polarizing as that, you cannot feel confident at this position, and Quickley offered a bit more consistency over a smaller sample size.

Nonetheless, against the Bucks, Frank Ntilikina stepped up and performed well. Over nine minutes, he recorded 12 points connecting on 4-of-4 three-pointers. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has not looked his way often, but due to injuries, he didn’t have a choice but to play Frank regularly in the contest.

Will Frank ever find his offense with the New York Knicks?

Frank has been a polarizing player for the Knicks, as he represents fantastic defensive talent but simply can’t find his offensive prowess in the NBA. It is not for lack of trying and work ethic, but rather just a lack of commitment to his fundamentals and a failure to be aggressive.

“Working [on it] is the key,” Ntilikina said. “The answer to probably everything in this game is probably work and just treat it with confidence. That confidence comes with preparation. Preparation is work. That’s what I’m going to do every day. Just trying to be better every day, in order to be the best player I can become in the future.”

There were a few occasions where the Frenchman didn’t attack the rim and tried to pass the ball instead against the Bucks, which resulted in a turnover, something he needs to work on off the court. The Knicks have kept him around for his defensive attributes but simply haven’t been enough to catapult him into a starting position. Thibodeau wants to rely on his team’s defense, but they haven’t allowed less than 100 points over the first three games.

Every year people comment on how Ntilikina could break out, but the reality is unless he becomes more aggressive toward the basket, he will never become the offensive player he’s capable of being.

Tom Thibodeau feels New York Knicks have quality depth

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New York Knicks

Tom Thibodeau continues to keep his opening night starters and rotation close to his vest with two days to go before his confident, young New York Knicks face the Indiana Pacers to open the season on the road.

As it stands, the Knicks will have the first few weeks of the season as an extension of the training camp. Without the benefit of the Summer League and fall practices, Thibodeau and his coaching staff had to cram in the condensed training camp and four preseason games.

While there’s still no clarity, the little window gave away some clues.

“Every day after practice, we talk about the rotation. We have a pretty good idea but that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Obviously, over the course of the season, we need everyone. And particular this year, under the circumstances, quality depth is important and I feel we have that,” Thibodeau said on his zoom call with reporters after Monday’s practice.

Bereft of quality depth for the past seasons, the Knicks have shown in the preseason that Thibodeau can extend his rotation beyond the regular 8-9 man-deep on some nights.

While it was a small sample size and against lousy teams that were also experimenting, the Knicks played with a sense of purpose and direction for the first time in years.

Knicks’ best players

Based on their preseason games, RJ Barrett is firmly entrenched at his spot in the starting lineup. So is the much-maligned Julius Randle with lottery pick Obi Toppin not showing enough so far to supplant him.

Barrett has played the most minutes among the Knicks in four games with 30.5, which ranked third behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ youngsters — Kyle Kuzma (34.0) and preseason revelation Talen Horton-Tucker (31.8).

Barrett averaged a team-high 17.8 points on 51 percent field goal shooting. What’s more impressive is that he shot 86.7 percent from the line, a big jump from his 61-percent clip last season. He also had a +/- 14.3. Though the three-point shot remains his weakness, his overall improvement has been a welcome development for a Knicks team lacking a bona fide star and firepower.

Randle was also solid in the preseason games, coming in seventh in most minutes around the league with 28.5 per game. The six-year veteran turned in 14.5 points on 50-percent field goal shooting on top of 5.0 rebounds and an astounding 5.5 assists against 2.8 turnovers. For the first time since his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Randle had a positive point differential, a +/- 9.0 in his preseason outings, which hopefully will spill over into the regular season. 

Pleasant surprises

It wasn’t just a coincidence that Kevin Knox has started to find his groove at the same time Immanuel Quickley was quickly climbing up the Knicks’ point guard ranks.

Knox has knocked in nine of his last 10 three-pointers while Quickley has quarterbacked the team like it’s never done since they have Jeremy Lin, Raymond Felton, and an old but still reliable Jason Kidd late in his career.

That begs the question of whether he should start or play behind presumed starter Elfrid Payton, who missed the last preseason game.

“Everything is based on merit,” Thibodeau emphasized again.

“So if you evaluate practices — who’s practicing well, what groups are playing well then you take that further to the games. And take that information. If someone is practicing well, that is important to us. And then when you have the preseason games, if they play well, the team is functioning well when they’re on the floor, that’s important as well,” Thibodeau said. 

Note the buzz word “functioning well.” It was the same word he used to describe Quickley’s awe-inspiring run in the preseason.

Best chance to win

During his 18-month exile, Thibodeau said he’s learned a lot and reflected on how he can improve to become a better coach than his previous two stops in Chicago, Minnesota.

But while he is starting to embrace analytics and load management, some tenets will remain the same.

“I think you play the people that you feel can give you the best chance to win. But also you have the understanding that over the course of the season, everyone gets an opportunity,” Thibodeau added. 

For the small sample size that Quickley ran the point, the Knicks were a joy to watch. His energy was infectious. His high basketball IQ was very obvious.

Even Payton, who should be worried about his starting role, was left impressed with Quickley and gave credit to where credit’s due.

“He (Quickley) played well. Coach [Tom Thibodeau] has done a good job preparing us. He knocked down a lot of shots. The ball was popping. It was good. I think our defense led to our offense as well. He played good defense,” said Payton.

Whether Quickley will start or not, his overall skill set, which trumps all the point guards the Knicks have had, will shine no matter what. 

“I don’t think he surprised any of us. We know he’s talented. He put in a lot of work day in, day out. There’s no surprise,” Payton said.

How deep can Thibs go?

While Barrett and Randle are locked to start, Thibodeau will enjoy watching the rest of the team competing for their spots.

Knox and Toppin loom to be the de-facto backups of Barrett and Randle.

Thibodeau has the luxury of interchangeable rim protectors in Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel. Robinson had picked up the slack when Noel sat out with an injury. The Knicks will have rim protection whoever between them is on the floor.

Payton may win the starting job at the point for now. But Quickley should give him a run for his money. 

Veteran Alec Burks was also solid in two games against Detroit before he skipped the last two preseason games to attend to his newborn baby as reported by Stefan Bondy of the Daily News. 

Reggie Bullock can be serviceable when his shots are falling.

There’s still the mystery of how Austin Rivers will fit into the scheme of things. But his veteran leadership, having played meaningful basketball with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, will be counted upon when the going gets tough.

Odd men out?

But with depth comes hard decisions.

Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina could be the guys who will hit the most with the influx of quality depth to this retooled Knicks.

Smith Jr. started the preseason as Paytons’ backup, but with the emergence of Quickley, it’s going to be tough for him to carve a significant role. His newfound defensive grit was admirable, but his inconsistent outside shooting and lack of playmaking couldn’t trump Quickley’s overall talent.

Ntilikina has played more off the ball in the preseason. But he hasn’t shown quite enough to keep Thibodeau from leashing him ahead of Burks and Bullock.

Unless he can hit the outside shot consistently, or injuries struck their veterans, his playing time will be a roller coaster.  

It was pretty clear from the preseason games that the Knicks enjoyed much success with their young guys — Quickley, Barrett, Knox, Toppin, Robinson. But as Thibodeau said, the regular-season game will be a lot different.

Acid test

On Wednesday night, the Pacers will provide their first acid test.

“I think they’re a very talented team [Indiana Pacers]. They’ve built a great foundation over the last few years. They’re playing a bit differently now offensively in terms of their pace and the type of shots they’re taking. But they have a number of people who can go off the dribble,” Thibodeau said.

“And I think of course, with Victor missing a good chunk of last year, they were still a very good team. They have great depth and versatility to their lineup and you have Victor back into the mix, they are one of the best teams in the East for sure,” he added.

Thibodeau’s young Knicks will face a team that they hope to become in a couple of years to attract stars to come. Under normal circumstances, the opening game should set the tone for the season. But for the Knicks, it will provide more clarity on whether Thibodeau’s beliefs are standing on solid ground or just a shallow depth.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

New York Knicks: Thibodeau likes Ntilikina’s defensive versatility

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t settled yet on his starters and rotation, but there’s one guy on the roster who caught his eye.

Frank Ntilikina, the longest-tenured Knick on the roster and the last remnant of the Phil Jackson era, has impressed Thibodeau during the training camp.

“I like Frank. Obviously, we didn’t have a lot of time this summer to spend around each other. But getting to know him now, there are things that he does very, very well,” Thibodeau said on his zoom call with reporters Sunday.

“[He’s got] Good size, he’s versatile defensively, he works hard so I want to see what he can do.”

A portent of things to come?

Ntilikina has been one of the polarizing figures on the Knicks young roster ever since he was taken seventh overall in 2017.

The 22-year old French guard teased what he can do when he dropped a 20-point, 10-assists performance — easily his best game in a Knicks jersey — in a win against the Washington Wizards the day before the league was shut down in March.

Ntilikina isn’t only fighting for a starting spot but also for his next contract.

“The business part is going to take care of itself,” Ntilikina said on his zoom call with reporters Friday. “I’m here to get better every day, to get this team better.’’

Backcourt Battle

The Knicks have brought in a slew of guards via free agency and the draft casting a cloud on Ntilikina’s future with the team. But he’s prepared for the playing time battle.

“It’s part of the game,’’ Ntilikina said. “We have a lot of guards on this team, a lot of competitors, which is going to bring the best out of the team. We’re going to compete hard for minutes and the coach is going to decide what he wants to do. We have trust in him. He knows what he’s doing. He knows his job. So he’s going to put the best players together on the court.’’

Thibodeau has always emphasized that all roster decisions will be based on performance. And it looks like Ntilikina, given his strengths on the defensive end, is expected to carve a niche in Thibodeau’s rotation this season.

“I haven’t settled on starting rotation. I think everything is up for grabs — starting, finishing, rotation. So I think we’ll get those answers as we go,” Thibodeau said.

The 62-year old coach also preached the importance of getting ready to seize the moment when it arrives especially for the end-of-the-bench players.

“If you start off and you’re not in the rotation, I think what I’ve found over the years is that at some point, everyone will get an opportunity to be on the rotation so you just have to be ready. But we’ll make those decisions based on performance and what fits the team the best,” Thibodeau added.

18 million possibilities

Meanwhile, the Knicks still have plenty of cap space, around $18 million, to maneuver and improve their current young roster. Thibodeau hinted that Leon Rose, who attended the Knicks’ first full practice under his watch, isn’t done tinkering with the team’s makeup.

“I think improving the club never ends. So, for me, I have to focus on the players that we have here. I think Leon’s job and the front office’s is every day to look at what opportunities do we have,” Thibodeau said.

“Obviously, we could use the cap space to get a player; we could trade. There’s a lot of things that we can do. I don’t think that never stops. Each and every day, we all have to ask ourselves how we can make the team better. It’s not anyone particular but all those areas — player development, the draft, free agent, and trades. And the good teams in this league focus on those four each and every day, and that’s what are we striving for.”

The fluid situation plus the competition within the team will keep the players on their toes. It’s going to be an interesting first year for Thibodeau and Rose at the helm.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Report: Chris Paul trade offer on Knicks’ table; Bobby Marks believes he’s not a ‘salary dump’

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New York Knicks, chris paul

Chris Paul and the New York Knicks have been linked to each other ever since James Dolan hired the Oklahoma City All-Star guard’s former agent at Creative Artists Agency, Leon Rose, as his new team president.

The rumor mill heated up on Monday when Jonathan Macri of the Knicks Film School reported that the 35-year old Paul prefers to wind up his career either in New York or Los Angeles.

“I’ve been told by a league source that Chris Paul prefers his next basketball home to be either in LA or NY (Los Angeles is where he resides full time) and that has created some modicum of leverage in the ongoing negotiations between the sides. I’m also told that there is a deal on the table that is comfortable from Sam Presti’s perspective, and the ball is in Leon Rose’s court,” Macri wrote in his newsletter.

The Thunder is believed to have been shopping Paul since he was acquired from the Houston Rockets a year ago in the Russell Westbrook trade. But league executives thought, at that time, that Paul’s massive contract had been the biggest stumbling block in negotiations.

Even the Knicks reportedly turned down a Houston Rockets’ offer centering on Paul before he was shipped to the Thunder. The Knicks’ stance has since changed upon Rose’s arrival.

Paul is owed $85 million over the next two years — $41 million next season (almost 38 percent of the salary cap if it stays flatly at $109 million) and has a $44 million player option the following year.

The Knicks are one of the only four teams with massive cap space to absorb such a contract.

The Thunder are motivated to unload Paul’s contract after they had the third-highest payroll in the league last season. They have recently parted ways with long-time coach Billy Donovan signaling a rebuilding will soon hit the ground running in Oklahoma.

Ian Begley of SNY earlier reported that the Knicks are willing to absorb undesirable contracts to acquire an asset. Still, Paul, despite his age and massive salary, doesn’t belong in that category, according to ESPN’s Front Office Insider Bobby Marks.

The former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager-turned NBA insider believes the Knicks won’t acquire extra assets if they trade for Paul.

“I see teams having to give up something of value,” Marks told Empire Sports Media. “He’s not a salary dump.”

Presti is banking on Paul’s solid showing last season as leverage in the negotiation table.

Paul led the Thunder to the first round of the playoffs, pushing the Rockets to seven games. The 10-time NBA All-Star averaged 17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game in 70 games, the most he’s played in a season since 2015-16.

Early in September, a rumored trade involving the Knicks’ young players and future picks has been lined up according to Heavy.com’s Scoop B.

 

Rose and his front office have to think hard about how much they are willing to pay to acquire an All-Star who is about to enter the tail end of his career.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

New York Knicks: PG whisperer Tom Thibodeau wants to build Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina’s confidence

by
New York Knicks, Dennis Smith Jr.

The New York Knicks are looking to salvage Dennis Smith, Jr. and Frank Ntilikina. Can Tom Thibodeau save them?

When Derrick Rose revived his NBA career, Tom Thibodeau was the biggest voice in his corner.

“He was the only coach that believed in me,” Rose said.

Two years since Thibodeau helped the former MVP regained his footing in the league, he now faces another reclamation project in New York with Dennis Smith, Jr. and Frank Ntilikina.

If Kenny Payne has built a reputation as a big man’s whisperer in Kentucky, Thibodeau had the same effect on point guards since he became a head coach in Chicago.

Thibodeau made Rose the youngest MVP in league history in 2011.  He was able to squeeze every ounce he can get from rental guards D.J. Augustin, Nate Robinson, John Lucas III, and C.J. Watson.

Augustin credited Thibodeau for reigniting his love for the game during his lone season in Chicago in 2013-14, where he averaged a career-high 14.9 points in 30.9 minutes.

“Not only did he give me the opportunity, he actually brought my love for the game back,” he said in 2014. “You kind of lose that a little bit, your passion for the game, throughout the years in the NBA depending on playing time and different situations you may be put in. Coach Thibs, I owe him a lot. I give him credit for bringing my passion for the game back and wanting to learn and play hard.”

Robinson, meanwhile, swore by Thibodeau in a July interview with Ian Begley of SNY.

“One of the best men, honestly. He’s a student of the game and he’s a teacher – he’s both. He’s like Yoda,” Robinson said. He knows his stuff, he really gets after it, he watches a lot of film. He preaches defense-first and if you play defense, you get offense. That’s the reward. I learned a lot from coach Tom Thibodeau over the years when I was in Boston with him for a year and when I was in Chicago for a year. If (there’s) anybody that can change the Knicks, it’s probably him.”

Robinson averaged 13.1 points in his one season in Chicago in 2012-13, the most since he posted a career-high 17.2 points in New York in the 2008-09 season.

The Knicks are hoping Thibodeau can have the same effect on Smith and Ntilikina.

Both young point guards are entering the final season of their rookie contracts, and no Knick rookie has been extended since Charlie Ward in 1999.

“I’m getting to know both guys. I like what they’ve done so far. They got to continue to work,” Thibodeau said in a zoom call with reporters on Friday. “There’s oftentimes ups and downs for young players there’s, you know — there’s a learning curve they have to go through. Some experiences will be better than others.”

Smith is on the same spot when Rose and Augustin were looking to regain their confidence.  After a promising start to his NBA career, Smith rammed into a wall last season while dealing with an assortment of injuries and coping up with the loss of his stepmother. He was in and out of the lineup.  With his confidence shattered, he averaged a career-low 5.5 points.

On the other hand, Ntilikina has never lived up to his billing as a lottery pick.  The French point guard showed flashes of brilliance on the defensive end, but his limited offensive skillset has made him ill-suited for a roster lacking in shooters and floor spacers.

Thibodeau has already plotted his bounce-back plan for both young guards.

“They both have had some good moments in the league. You want to build consistency. And how do you get there? You have to do it through your work, you have to learn from the experiences and you have to be disciplined. And so, hopefully, we can get there this is a very important offseason for both players,” Thibodeau said. 

The gift of Thibodeau is he’s a basketball lifer, a teacher.  He empowers his players by harnessing their strengths and covering up their weaknesses.

“You look at the things they do well and try to build off that and try to add things to their game,” Thibodeau said.  “That’s why I think offseason is important because you can zero in on those things and help build confidence.  I think that’s where your confidence comes from.  Your confidence comes from your preparation. Your willingness to work on those things and see that you can be successful in doing them.  But you never want to take a guy away from what his strengths are.”

Smith and Ntilikina are at a crossroads.  All they need to do is follow Thibodeau’s lead.