NYK

Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson Has The Perfect Mentor In New York

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New York Knicks, Mitchell Robinson

With the 2018-19 NBA season sneaking up on us ever so quickly, the New York Knicks are preparing to change the narrative of a hungry franchise. The past few years have been difficult for the Knicks, as they have struggled to earn wins and put together a balanced team. Signing Tim Hardaway Jr. and Joakim Noah mark two potentially devastating blows to the cap-space, limiting the potential action of the new management in free agency.

Luckily, teams are seldom built through free agency, but rather the development of youth. For the Knicks, this is exactly what we’re going to witness.

The drafting of Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson marks the beginning of a new era – one where New York can enjoy the growth of two young prospects and not the signing of aging veterans. Knox is a dynamic forward that can penetrate the rim and score from any position on the floor.

Robinson is a big-man looking to take over after the inevitable departure of Noah. He’s a lanky player that is stellar on defense and well-rounded on offense.

The influence of a mentor on New York Knicks rookie, Mitchell Robinson:

Having a mentor for a young player is essential, and while Noah’s contract has been a burden for the Knicks, he has much to offer when it comes to the growth of Robinson.

In the prime of his career, Noah was averaging between 10-12 points per game and over one block. He was menace around the rim and had the player intelligence to control the game from the paint. This is the type of experience he has to offer Mitchell, and it will only help him grow into the player he’s meant to be.

While Enes Kanter is expected to start at center, Robinson cannot be ruled out to earn some serious playing time. In fact, it’s possible he becomes the second-choice backup after Kanter.

Robinson set Summer League records for offensive rebounds and blocks per-game, further promoting his skill-set and ability to transition to the next level. After watching his Summer League tape, you can visibly see his vision and patience in and around the rim. He always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. He will only continue to improve with the right guidance and physical growth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EoutQ1kjjU

New York Knicks: Looking Back On The ‘Linsanity’ Era

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In honor of Jeremy Lin’s birthday being a few days ago, August 23rd, let’s look back on that brief ‘Linsanity’ period for the Knicks, how exciting it was and what could have been done differently.

Flashing back to the Linsanity period for the Knicks:

First off, the period of Linsanity was absolutely remarkable. We, Knicks fans, had a no-name come off the bench, quickly emerge as a fan favorite and was an unstoppable force, because no one knew who this guy was and what his game looked like. Lin was signed by the New York Knicks on December 27th, 2011. Lin was signed by Knicks after Iman Shumpert went down with a knee injury. If it wasn’t for Shumpert’s unfortunate injury, Linsanity does not happen.

Lin barely got any time even after being signed until he finally got his chance against in the, then, New Jersey Nets. As he entered the game, every Knicks probably sat in their lazy-boy saying, “Who is this guy?!?” I know I did. Jeremy then caught our eyes by racking up the stats for that game. Lin rained in 25 points, dished out 7 assists, snatched 5 rebounds and was the reason the Knicks got the ‘W’ that night. All fans probably thought that this was a feel good story, thinking this was a one-time-thing, not knowing what the future would hold.

Jeremy continued to be the true spark the Knicks needed at the time, since Carmelo Anthony and Amare were sidelined. They won two straights games, solely because of Lin, then defeated John Wall and the Wizards with Lin rolling down broadway for a big time slam suggesting that this is turning into something special. His next game, he poured in his career-high 38 points against Kobe and the Lakers. Lin had the sold out Garden and threw the Garden faithful into a frenzy. Linsanity had officially begun.

Next game, came his signature moment as a New York Knick in Toronto. Lin continued to impress and during this close game, I just had that feeling that something was going to happen, in our favor. The game came down to the finally seconds, 5.7, Knicks with the ball and who else would try to win the game? You guessed it, Jeremy Lin.

Walking, strutting, stunting, dribbling down the middle of the court and I remember getting goosebumps watching that, knowing something was about to happen, and then BANG! Jeremy Lin from the top of the key, game winning triple. That is one Knick moment I will never ever forget. It literally brought me off my seat, jumping into the air.  After that unbelievable shot, which I still remember seeing Lin jump and down, nodding his head skipping towards the opposite end of the court.

But then, Anthony returned to the lineup and Linsanity was pretty much over from there.  Lin was not the same player.  Melo was again the focal point of the offensive and teams found out how to deal with Lin.  Then, Lin ended up requiring surgery from a torn meniscus.  It was the end of Linsanity and, truthfully, very saddening.  He would return for the first-round of the playoffs, but wasn’t at 100% and did not contribute.

Now, after the season concluded, came the big question.  Do the Knicks resign Lin?  Knicks had the early bidding rights to Lin and I can still remember where I was during all of this.  I’m not a big proponent of resigning players to a 3 to 5 year deal after coming an injury.  However, from the Linsanity period, I still felt like the Knicks needed a young point guard.  

Who better at the time then Jeremy Lin?  Fan favorite, that spark and he put people in the seats.  Did he want big money off an injury?  Yes.  Did he deserve big money?  No, but he deserved to be compensated for the Linsanity stretch.  The Knicks also could match whatever deal any other team would offer to Lin, so the Knicks were in the drivers seat.  However, there had been reports of some jealousy in the Knicks locker room with the vets upset over the Linsanity period.  Tough, I thought.  It’s a business.  But, I did not want to see the Knicks lose Lin.

I was sitting elbows up at Dogfish’s taproom in Delaware when the news came on the television.  “Jeremy Lin has agreed on a 3 year deal with the Houston Rockets for 25 million dollars.”  I was drained.  But, the Knicks had a chance to match, so there was some hope at the end of the tunnel.  However, that was quickly flushed again.  During the same time I was at the bar, beginning to drink away my sorrows from being a Knicks and now possibly losing out on Lin, the news came on the television again. “The New York Knicks won’t match the Rockets offer.”  Linsanity in the Big Apple was officially over.

Do I think the Knicks should have matched and resigned Lin? Yes.  Do I think it shouldn’t have even gotten to that point and the Knicks should have resigned him before even testing the market?  Triple yes.  The Knicks would have been a different and better team if they were able to retain Lin, but it just wasn’t in the cards.  As I look back on that period, it was one of the most exciting times to be a Knicks fan. 

The man from Harvard gave the city so much excitement and hope that has been something we have not seen until we got our unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis.  Is there more exciting ‘sanity’ periods coming in the near future for us fans, ‘Knox-sanity’ possibly, we don’t know.  What we do know, that we are all in this for the long haul.  Whatever next ‘Sanity’ periods comes along we will be there, strapped in for another rollercoaster of a ride. 

ESPN Predicts 24.2% Chance Kevin Durant Joins The Knicks In 2019

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Are the New York Knicks in a good spot to land Kevin Durant?

The New York Knicks will have room for one max-contract in 2019, but it will take some serious restructuring to afford Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant. Bringing in one of the best players of this generation will cost a pretty penny, but the thought of Durant teaming up with Kristaps Porzingis and a young Kevin Knox might just be worth it.

Durant is currently earning a staggering $27 million per season. His contract is worth $54.2 million over two years. Bringing him to New York would not only help the team, but it would probably boost the economy of the entire city. Having a superstar and a rising Porzingis could be the change that helps shift the narrative from good to bad for a success starved organization.

ESPN’s Max Kellerman breaks down the influence of the Warriors’ star, and if coming to the Knicks is a real possibility:

Kellerman seems to think that if Durant was on the Knicks currently, they wouldn’t be considered the best team in the East, and to be quite honest, he’s right. It will take time for the players to mesh, and for Knox to develop into a serviceable player on both sides of the court.

When Durant joined the Warriors, the roster wasn’t made up of optimistic starlets, but rather veteran players. His presence only elevated the rest, while players like Knox and Mitchell Robinson might not understand how to utilize a talent like Durant’s on the court.

Now, what I don’t agree with is the insinuation that the Knicks wouldn’t be all that great in general. I believe it would take about half the season for the team to gain the momentum it needs to begin making a playoff push. When you have a player like Durant on your team, you feed him the ball at every opportunity, and if he’s not there, you let your second best player in Porzingis take the reigns.

If the Knicks do decide to make a push for Kevin, we will be looking at a whole different ball game in the Mecca for years to come.

New York Knicks’ Trey Burke Finally Living Up To Offensive Expectations

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Despite being a top 10 pick in the NBA Draft in 2013, New York Knicks point guard Trey Burke has struggled to find his rhythm as a professional.

With the Washington Wizards, Burke only managed to complete 53% of his shots near the rim; for a point guard, that’s abysmal. With the Knicks in 2017, that percentage skyrocketed to 71%. Being an efficient scorer near the basket will allow head coach David Fizdale to operate his offense in a more open style, enabling Kevin Knox to work off of Burke’s speed.

Burke’s two point shot percentage increase by over 10% from 2016 to 2017. This could be a result of the Knick’s offensive scheme or the expectations lifted off of the six-year veteran’s shoulders.

How did Trey Burke improve as a player for the New York Knicks last season?

One of the more interesting aspects of Burke’s improvement is exactly how it happened and what he changed to increase his overall efficiency. One of his major struggles was the method he actually used to initiate contact and approach the rim. The difference from last season was that Burke would lean into his defender, allowing him to protect the ball and maneuver from an advantageous position. If he chose to rise to the hoop for a layup, it increased the probability that a foul would occur.

Increasing his offensive prowess will force the opposing defenders to stay honest, playing with the intention of keeping him contained. Having Knox and Kristaps Prozingis to open up the court will allow him to utilize his superb passing abilities. Burke finished last season with a 36.4% assist percentage – the highest of his career.

Additionally, he increased his free throw attempts per 36 minutes from 1.9 to 2.6 in 2017. His overall game saw a major improvement, and being that Frank Ntilikina is still yet to prove he can be an offensive threat, we should expect to see Burke get a solid amount of playing time this season.

 

Should The New York Knicks Go After Kemba Walker In 2019?

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One of the most uncertain positions on the New York Knicks’ roster is at point guard; Frank Ntilikina has struggled to solidify himself as the starter moving forward. His defensive abilities are more than serviceable, but he must show more on offense for him to be considered the PG moving forward.

Having a quality point guard will help Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Knox utilize their talents efficiently. One player that could be a potential option in 2019 aside from Kyrie Iriving is Kemba walker.

Where is Kemba Walker in his career and does it make sense for the New York Knicks to chase him?

The Hornets veteran PG is going into his eighth season as a professional. Walker had the second highest FG% in his career last season, finishing up hitting .431 of his shots. His three point completion percentage was the second highest it has ever been at .384.

Overall, he had a stellar season just one year ago, and after 2018, he will be ready to make a move to a team that’s on the up and up. Walker has always been a player for the spotlight, and he would fit perfectly with the Knicks team trying to rejuvenate the ever-so active fan base in New York.

The veteran will make $12 million in the season ahead, but will be looking to enjoy a serious raise once he hits the free agent market. He stated that he plans to stay with the Hornets a long time…how many times have we heard that before?

The players will go where the money goes, and the Knicks will have enough cap space for one max contract. Getting rid of Joakim Noah will also add to their financial mobility.

The major concern with Kemba is his age, and paying a player upwards of $25 million per season into their 30’s is a major concern. His abilities as a player are extremely attractive, but laying out that kind of cash will scare away several potential suitors, and one of them could be the Knicks.

 

What Kevin Knox Thinks The New York Knicks Can Accomplish in 2018

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While most 19 year old’s are either studying for their next college exam or taking a beer down on a Saturday night, New York Knicks rookie Kevin Knox has a different agenda on his mind. The first-round selection is prowling the tabloids for anything and anyone trying to degrade his team or write them off before the season even begins.

Vegas odds-makers have already put the Knicks at below 30 wins (29.5), but Knox believes they can be in the playoff talk with a crisp 35, according to The Post:

“People are sleeping on us with the 29 wins. I think we definitely can win at least 35 and get in that playoff talk. That’s my personal opinion. Everyone has their own opinion. But the whole team, I’m pretty confident we’re really good this year, that we have a chance to make the playoffs.”

Winning is clearly a top priority for the youngsster, but not in a personal manner. Knox believes he can be the best rookie in 2018, yet he’s primarily focused on helping his team compete as a collective unit, rather than a single entity.

Having the help of star forward Kristaps Porzingis will surely assist the Knicks in reaching Knox’s goal of 35 wins, but there’s no guarantee he will return until after the All-Star break, if at all. The big-man is the cornerstone of the team, but his absence will ultimately open up opportunities for Knox to attack the basket more often and second-round pick Mitchell Robinson to play a more prominent role.

We can surely cough this season up to rookie development, but Knox’s optimism intrigues me, and quite frankly, I think he may surprise some people in the months ahead.

How Far Away Are The New York Knicks From a Winning Season?

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It seems as if the New York Knicks are stuck in a purgatory that restrains them from besting the .500 mark. In the past two seasons, they have only amassed 60 total wins, but have been impressive in the loss category managing 104. In 2018, we shouldn’t expect to see much improvement, as it will take at least a season for the youngsters on the team to develop into serviceable NBA players, and we must factor in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis.

Will Kristaps Porzingis miss the entire season for the New York Knicks?

It’s more than possible the Knicks choose to sit Porzingis for the entire season to guarantee a 100% recovery, especially when considering it will likely be a re-building year for the team. We can’t rule out a decent season that could require the service of the unicorn, but it be realistic, it’s unlikely.

The real question is: How far away are the Knicks from a ‘good’ season?

With Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson already showing quality in the Summer League, there’s optimism for a quick turnaround. Analysts are already saying Robinson could be the steal of the draft – he was projected to be a first-round pick if he played a full year in college. It was expected he would take a few months to get into game-ready condition, but he’s adapted quickly and displayed serious potential.

Knox has been a phenom so far on the offense and looks like he could be the new cornerstone of the franchise alongside Porzingis. Personally, I feel as though this team could be a playoff contender in two years – optimistic, but with the effectiveness of the rookies thus far it’s not impossible. If Scott Perry can retain Porzingis and sign a few solid depth players the team could be in good shape moving forward.

The signing of Mario Hezonja also benefits the offensive side of the ball, especially considering the struggles of Frank Ntilikina. Rumors have also emerged of Kyrie Iriving potentially coming to New York, which would put Frank in a reserve role – his defense could be essential if this were to happen. It’s impossible to know what will happen, but the adoption of a youth agenda from the front-office puts the franchise in a much better position that what Phil Jackson left behind.

New York Knicks Likely Planning To Release Veteran Joakim Noah

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The New York Knicks are in a peculiar position – they have several mediocre veterans taking up a majority of their cap-space. To specify, center Joakim Noah is taking up much more than he’s worth, and the Knicks understand that letting him walk is likely the best option – but how?

According to  ESPN, head coach David Fizdale will part ways with Noah after training camp. The Knicks will use the NBA’s waive and stretch provision to release him after September 1.

Now, of course it would be more beneficial to utilize a Noah in a trade, but it’s unlikely that any team is willing to pick up the remaining two years and $37.8 million left on his contract. By waiting until after Sept., the Knicks can lessen the blow of his contract by spreading it out over the course of the next three years. While they will still be allocating a nice chunk of cash to a player not on the team anymore, it’s in the best interest of an organization trying to rid themselves of next-to- useless veteran’s like Noah.

It’s possible he rejoins the team and plays in the 2018-19 season, as he would be a nice tool to have in regard to the development of rookie big-man Mitchell Robinson. General manager Scott Perry has been unwilling to trade Noah attached to any high-round assets or young, talented players.

This leaves him with three options:

  1. Keep him on the roster
  2. Release him and spread his contract out of the next three years
  3. Find a trade partner willing to take on his contract without giving away strong assets

All of these options don’t seem too enticing, but they are the only possibilities the Knicks have in regard to Noah.

How much would the New York Knicks have to give Joakim Noah if they utilize the waive-and-stretch provisional?

Given the Knicks use the provisional, Noah’s cap-hit would $6.4 million, saving $12.9 million toward the salary cap. Additionally, they would have to pay $6.4 in 2020 and 2021. It’s a big-break in terms of the money he’d be making if they kept him – over $10 million per season.

So, you make the call – do you cut the veteran and save a good amount of cap, or let him stay and mentor Robinson?

 

The No.1 Attribute That Knicks’ Forward Kevin Knox Possesses

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After the New York Knicks finally turned the page on the Carmelo Anthony saga for the last time in 2017, things seemed to be on a positive trend. That narrative died rather quickly with the lackluster performance of Joakim Noah, the season ending injury to Kristaps Porzingis, and the firing of head coach Jeff Hornacek.

Getting through the devastating season took every ounce of energy from the team, but greater things were on the horizon, and nobody knew it just yet. Fast forward to the 2018 NBA Draft – the Knicks selected star Kentucky forward Kevin Knox and big-man Mitchell Robinson.

Knox has done nothing but impress so far in the Summer League, and is expected to play a major role in the years ahead for a franchise that’s starving for a glimmer of hope.

What the No.1 attribute that Kevin Knox brings to the New York Knicks?

When speaking with the 6-foot-9 forward, you notice how humble and appreciate he is. His ability to shield the arrogance and ignorance of others is what will help him succeed in the NBA. Of course, it’s important to be confident, but for Knox, he knows that his skills are more important than his ego.

Former Knicks point guard Charlie Ward stated:

“That’s the kind of superstar you want — a guy who will go about his business, not going to be talking much, but learning the ropes on how to get better each day,” Ward said. “New York is a tough place to play, but you have to have thick skin. He’s willing to listen and be coached. His whole mentality and attitude is one that will help him become a superstar in the league at some point.”

Being coachable is a factor that’s often overlooked in the drafting process, as pure skill can only go as far as the system behind it and willingness to adapt. Knox has everything you want in a young basketball player, and the fact that he’s just 18 years old should be a major confidence booster for every fan hoping he’s the real deal.

 

New York Knicks: How Will The Kristaps Porzingis And Kevin Knox Duo Operate?

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Despite the fact that New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis will be out for a considerable portion of the season, rookie Kevin Knox will begin his development in preparation of creating a dynamic duo with the unicorn.

Porzingis is still slowly easing his way back into physical activity – he’s been training in Lativa with head coach David Fizdale for the past few weeks. The Knicks will undoubtedly be considering next season as a re-build year, with a ton of youth that requires NBA experience and knowledge to take their game to the next level.

In other words, they’re playing for 2019, and with Porzingis back to full-health, the team will be hopeful towards earning a playoff birth.

How will Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Knox team up on the New York Knicks?

The two forwards will have to adapt to eacothers style of play, as Kristaps tends to be more of a shooter and rim rattler while Knox uses his length and athleticism to drive to the hoop. Both are more than capable of scoring at will, but Knox will have to work on his defense to become a well-rounded player.

Passing between the two will be an essential factor of their production, as their height (7-foot-3 KP and 6-foot-9 KN) allow them to play close to the rim and increase their shot percentages. They will work off the point guard and keep the opposing defense honest. Last season, Porzingis was the safety net for a team that lacked offensive and defensive quality throughout the season.

Knox will have to learn quickly if the Knicks wish to see any kind of success in the months ahead, but we should allow him the necessary time to efficiently take on the rookie speed bumps.