![]() It looks simple, but Knox showed a little bit of everything that makes him so enticing in this one play. SCREENX KNOX FREEThere’s a good chance that in college he would’ve pulled up from the free throw line for a contested jumper, but he instead made a quick read, crossed over, took a long stride to get around the rim protector, and then angled his body for a layup high off the backboard to avoid a potential shot-block attempt. Too often last season, Knox settled for midrange jumpers early in the clock, but he’s already beginning to cut it out of his diet. For that to happen, Knox needs to stay on the same track he’s on this summer. Knox’s presence should allow Porzingis to sustain energy over the duration of the season. The decline resembled those of his prior seasons, and raised questions about his durability and whether he can carry the Knicks. Porzingis dominated the first 10 games last season, averaging 30 points with a 60.7 true shooting percentage, but he faded progressively up until his season ended in February. Once Porzingis returns, Knox should immediately help alleviate the pressure on him. Tuesday’s game was a sign of what could await him as New York’s go-to scorer next to Porzingis. It’s a process, even for a player like Knox, who already looks the part of a high-level shotmaker. Good shooters don’t become great shooters overnight. In Vegas, he’s shooting 8-for-21 from 3, but he has a soft touch and a smooth shooting form. Knox shot only 34.1 percent from 3 and 77.4 percent from the line at Kentucky. SCREENX KNOX ISOKnox showed off all the goods by draining two spot-up 3s and then sinking an iso 3 from the top of the key at the end of the shot clock. He was rewarded during his third game with a scorching-hot stretch to close the third quarter. If his playmaking abilities continue to develop, perhaps he’ll become more than just a scorer, which was his biggest selling point in the first place.Īfter two down perimeter-shooting performances to open Las Vegas summer league, Knox’s confidence didn’t waver. Knox in that free-flowing system is especially tantalizing: He has legitimate shot-creation skills, and with his combination of size and speed, he could develop into a mismatch nightmare in an era when he’s too quick for larger players and too big for smaller ones. Both of their young perimeter talents will have opportunities to make plays with the ball in their hands. Frank Ntilikina was drafted in one of the deepest point guard classes in recent memory, but after his rookie season, the Knicks are grooming him into more of a 2-guard (he’s been using DeMar DeRozan as a primary case study). SCREENX KNOX INSTALLDavid Fizdale has suggested he would install a multiple-ball-handler system that plays at a faster pace and empowers most players who rebound the ball to dribble up the court and start the offense. Knox’s new tricks are particularly interesting given the Knicks’ new head coach. In his first taste of NBA action, Knox has made a fairly accurate behind-the-back pocket pass to second-round center Mitchell Robinson, whipped cross-court passes to 3-point shooters, and facilitated in transition. Knicks summer league head coach Mike Miller has been using Knox to initiate on offense, and the 18-year-old is showing passing instincts that were absent in college. Knox is already flashing new skills in Vegas. Knox was my seventh-ranked player in The Ringer’s 2018 NBA Draft Guide, but no. Showcasing those skills during the predraft-workout circuit helped him vault to no. He was the 10th-ranked high school recruit of 2017, and in his lone college season demonstrated savvy scoring off the dribble in the pick-and-roll and isolations, two of the most coveted skills in the NBA across all positions. SCREENX KNOX FULLThere was no doubt Knox had talent, but he wasn’t able to show the full breadth of it during an underwhelming freshman season at Kentucky. The main reason? Kevin Knox.Īt 6-foot-9 with a near-7-foot wingspan, Knox has been a standout at Las Vegas summer league as he’s averaged 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds and displayed explosive athleticism, shot-creation skill, and tenacity on defense. Conversations with The Ringer’s resident Knicks fans are becoming less and less pessimistic with every passing day. But things have taken a turn for the better in the past week. Kristaps Porzingis quickly became a silver lining for the franchise when he emerged in 2015, but he tore his ACL in February, deadening most of the enthusiasm the fan base had left. Knicks fans need no reminding, but it’s been downhill in the 2000s with only five playoff appearances since 2000-01 (and only one, in 2012-13, that made it past the first round). The last time the franchise was relevant, Patrick Ewing was still playing, Reggie Miller had beef with Spike Lee, and James Dolan had only just taken control of the team. It hasn’t been easy for Knicks fans to stay positive this century. ![]()
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