Comments on: NY Post: This looks nothing like the Frank Ntilikina who has confounded Knicks

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:53:49 +0000

re: Perry deflecting on Frank’s option — I’m not sure I would read too much into that. Short of the Noah expulsion, Perry seems to place a lot of emphasis on keeping options open and preparing for all eventualities. There’s really no reason for him to say they are definitely picking up his option, even if that’s the intention, if for no other reason to make Frank as hungry as possible this training camp.

By: alsep73

alsep73 — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:53:22 +0000

He needs to play with one of those guys, not compete against them.

I think he could play with Smith, in the same way that I think he and Barrett have some complementary skills. But I don’t think you can put out a lineup where he and Payton are on the court together. Neither one can shoot/score enough. But maybe I’m wrong.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:51:07 +0000

Sounds like the worst possible news for Frank, actually. He needs to play with one of those guys, not compete against them.

The best guy for Frank to play with would be the idea of RJ Barrett – ie. a playmaking wing. If you play him with Payton or DSJ you’ll end up crossmatching a ton on defense with Frank presumably guarding the point of attack and hiding Payton or DSJ on the least threatening backcourt player. Payton is a good defender, I guess, but he’s still pretty small – 6’2.5″. You could have Payton guard the PG and put Frank on the most threatening wing, but IMHO if Frank is going to play, you want him on the ball (against the PG in most situations but in general on the primary ballhandler).

I honestly think the best role for Frank for this season is to win the backup PG role – get 15 minutes there and another 5-6 minutes playing with one of the other PGs. But it’s all predicated on him not being one of the 5-10 worst offensive players in the league.

By: Hubert

Hubert — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 11:10:43 +0000

Also of interest — assuming you believe anything Fiz says, which is not a safe assumption — is the idea that there will be a three-way battle between DSJ, Payton, and Frank to see who starts at PG.

Sounds like the worst possible news for Frank, actually. He needs to play with one of those guys, not compete against them.

By: Donnie Walsh

Donnie Walsh — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 07:47:06 +0000

Of course, this being the Knicks how likely is it they actually extend a draft pick beyond his rookie contract?

Of course, this being the Knicks, when they do finally extend a draft pick beyond his rookie contract, it will probably be for one of the worst basketball players in NBA history, so there’s that.

By: KnickfaninNJ

KnickfaninNJ — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 05:54:31 +0000

I’m not sure it’s either pick up Ntilikina’s option or let him go. I think they might be able to not pick up the option but sign him to a longer contract instead. Of course, this being the Knicks how likely is it they actually extend a draft pick beyond his rookie contract?

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:05:11 +0000

Alas, poor Dot. I knew him…

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:04:26 +0000

Perry deflected a question re: Frank’s option. He better hit 3’s or he’s gone.

By: Z-man

Z-man — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:02:11 +0000

@196 lol better to be CB than Lucy.

By: Early Bird

Early Bird — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 02:57:47 +0000

@alsep,

I think that’s what a coach says about Frank no matter what. You don’t want to get the player down and you don’t want the other teams to know what you think of him.

Although I don’t think Frank can play pg, I do think he adds the most value at that spot. He can shut down the point of attack and shoot over the any pg not named Ben Simmons or Giannis (if you think he’s a pg).

The problem is having no penetration from the 1 spot is devastating. So, I gurss I agree with your RJ scenario. A lot of things have to break the right way tho.