What do you expect from Ron Baker , Frank Ntilikina, Ramon Sessions and the point guard position as a whole in 2017-18?

[thebuzzardman]

that just goes to show how out of touch you are with the reality of this situation

Frank has no pressure on him because you dont have expectations for the season?


dude

Frank has expectations.
the team has expectations
the fans have expectations
the media will have expectaions

come on son, perspective and stuff

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2730644-projecting-new-york-knicks-2017-18-depth-chart

I know bleacherreport is far from any authority, but I'm just showing you that it's not "out of touch with reality" to choose Frank as the starter over Sessions for the reasons I've been mentioning. Even ESPN has Sessions as the 3rd string PG on the Knicks.

Well honestly it's very much in his hands

If he thrives and impresses in training camp like Kp did and then plays exceptionally in summer league like Kp did then perhaps he's ready, like Kp was

I expect he's gonna struggle a little especially early on

Aren't PG's more like QB's in football? It's sort of expected there is more a 1st year learning curve, even more than bigs?

Needless to say, I hope he winds up starting. Won't really care either way as long as he gets 15-20 mpg.

[DOT]

I think we won't know who's starting until after training camp and preseason, but as of right now I'd say Baker has a slight edge given his salary, he was on the team last year (and even started some games last year), and Jeff loves him

Frank should follow the same trajectory as Willy this year, meaning that I expect him to not be too great to start, but he should develop enough to start by the end of the year

[moocow007]

Considering that it looks like the Knicks can wiggle another roster spot up to sign another PG (you can argue Baker is just a guard and can be plugged in at either SG or PG), here's a short list of some of the remaining free agent "point guards" (or guys that can play the point) that may be worth adding to the team in lieu of someone like Chasson Randle (there's only so many "raw young point guard" types you can have on a team at one time):

Deron Williams
Monta Ellis
Randy Foye
CJ Watson
Leandro Barbosa
Aaron Brooks
Trey Burke
Rodney Stuckey
Jason Terry
Beno Udrih

There are a handful of other guys but they have already signed overseas so I didn't include them. Trey Burke I have on the list but he's hardly a "seasoned" player and has been a flub of sorts considering where he was drafted. Also if the goal is Ntilikina is your man not sure why Burke would be brought in as he doesn't offer much in the way of proven production or NBA leadership.

If the Knicks aren't interested in the potential drama that can come with guys like Deron Williams, Monta Ellis, etc., and instead is looking for someone that is considered a great vet, that has shown a long NBA track record as a reserve guard and who can shoot a little maybe CJ Watson would be a good "other mentor" type that could provide some coverage minutes wise.

An article of Vogel's trust in Watson.

C.J. Watson’s subtle impact helping Orlando Magic

by Philip Rossman-Reich8 months agoFollow @philiprr_omd
C.J. Watson, Orlando Magic, P.J. Tucker, Phoenix Suns
C.J. Watson‘s statistics look poor this season. Yet Frank Vogel has continually turned to the veteran guard for his subtle impact on the floor.

C.J. Watson’s play is very much like his public personality.

Watson is relatively unassuming. He generally keeps quiet. His responses to the media — when they do ask for him — tend to be short and to the point. Watson stays on message and speaks somewhat in cliche and generalities. It is easy to forget Watson is around.

Watson’s seeming absence has characterized his two years in Orlando so far. He missed most of last season with a mysterious calf strain, keeping the veteran on the sidelines as the team’s season blossomed and unraveled. The Orlando Magic never got to see what he might provide the team as a steadying force and shooter.

This season, Watson got buried a bit in the rotation crunch. The Magic added Jodie Meeks at shooting guard and D.J. Augustin at point guard to push him out of the rotation. But with Evan Fournier injured, the Magic have turned to Watson somewhat controversially to fill those backup shooting guard minutes.

Watson is averaging 2.7 points per game and shooting a 36.2 percent effective field goal percentage. In his latest stint in the rotation the past six games, he is averaging 4.2 points per game and shooting 31.3 percent from the floor and an icy 17.6 percent from beyond the arc.

It is admittedly hard to justify his play by his individual statistics. He does not do a lot that impacts the box score. Eventually, his struggles hitting shots are going to push him out of the rotation. Almost certainly when Evan Fournier returns, his minutes will dry up. Yet Watson still plays a major role for the Magic.

The reason Watson plays is something different. It is not necessarily what he provides on a box score, but perhaps the versatility and knowledge he brings. Watson is rarely in the wrong spot on either end of the floor. He is not a player who is going to make a ton of mistakes.

His role is to settle things down and do something much more subtle.

“[C.J. and Damjan Rudez are] guys who know what they are doing,” coach Frank Vogel said last week. “On both ends of the court, they have great IQs. I told C.J. the other day that was most productive 0-for 4 performance [against Memphis] maybe I have ever seen. He played really well and didn’t make a shot.”

Watson concurred. He said his role is to come off the bench and bring energy, trying to change the pace of the game. His job is to “make shots, play hard on defense and try to keep everyone settled.”

Fans can certainly debate whether he does that successfully.

Yeah that's the kind of guy I figure the Knicks would want around Mr. Frank.

[dakomish23]

sessions is soooooo the starter, at least at the beginning of the season. he may take a backseat, but they're not throwing frank right into the fire.

the whole point of signing sessions was to show frank how to handle all of this. he won't need much, but you at least get this out of sessions.

this is all for frank. all for his own good.

Right?

For some reason people can't handle simple reality around here at times

The Sixers doing what they did really warped a lot of people into thinking Rookies are supposed to start and play 30 minutes a game. Some are built for it, but most are not. There are so many factors that people behind a computer screen don't even realize go into a young player's development. Travel (France is the size of just Texas) , style of play, language barrier (for some), playing in big arenas vs. small stadiums in France, time zones etc. I'd be cool if Frank didn't start this whole year tbh. As the youngest kid in the draft we can afford to take our time with him. He won't be 21 until his 3rd year in the league...

It's not just PHI. Most rebuilding teams generally start their lottery picks. Even though they're raw, they're generally still one of the best guys on the roster.

We started KP because he was clearly the 2nd best player on that squad. If Frank is good enough, I have zero problem starting this kid. If he isn't, bring him along slow.

[Jeff Van Gully]

Right?

For some reason people can't handle simple reality around here at times

The Sixers doing what they did really warped a lot of people into thinking Rookies are supposed to start and play 30 minutes a game. Some are built for it, but most are not. There are so many factors that people behind a computer screen don't even realize go into a young player's development. Travel (France is the size of just Texas) , style of play, language barrier (for some), playing in big arenas vs. small stadiums in France, time zones etc. I'd be cool if Frank didn't start this whole year tbh. As the youngest kid in the draft we can afford to take our time with him. He won't be 21 until his 3rd year in the league...

It's not just PHI. Most rebuilding teams generally start their lottery picks. Even though they're raw, they're generally still one of the best guys on the roster.

We started KP because he was clearly the 2nd best player on that squad. If Frank is good enough, I have zero problem starting this kid. If he isn't, bring him along slow.

if he is unabashedly ready, sure. if he needs time, that's fine too.

[dakomish23]

The Sixers doing what they did really warped a lot of people into thinking Rookies are supposed to start and play 30 minutes a game. Some are built for it, but most are not. There are so many factors that people behind a computer screen don't even realize go into a young player's development. Travel (France is the size of just Texas) , style of play, language barrier (for some), playing in big arenas vs. small stadiums in France, time zones etc. I'd be cool if Frank didn't start this whole year tbh. As the youngest kid in the draft we can afford to take our time with him. He won't be 21 until his 3rd year in the league...

It's not just PHI. Most rebuilding teams generally start their lottery picks. Even though they're raw, they're generally still one of the best guys on the roster.

We started KP because he was clearly the 2nd best player on that squad. If Frank is good enough, I have zero problem starting this kid. If he isn't, bring him along slow.

if he is unabashedly ready, sure. if he needs time, that's fine too.

What I think most would have a problem with is if we see another Sasha over Grant scenario time and again. That was ridiculous. I don't even want to see the Mike D special with vets winning meaningless games and taking away opportunity from the youth.

Growth and development.

[aq_ua]

I'd like to petition the board to have Markkanen added to the list of player regret around the drafting of Frank. Thanks.

I don't think it works if you add a player drafted ahead of Frank. We're going to have to check the rule book on that.

[DOT]

I'd like to petition the board to have Markkanen added to the list of player regret around the drafting of Frank. Thanks.

I don't think it works if you add a player drafted ahead of Frank. We're going to have to check the rule book on that.

Checks out

Knicks screwed themselves by winning the last game of the year, bumping them down to 8th where they couldn't pick the Finnish Sniper

[aq_ua]

I'd like to petition the board to have Markkanen added to the list of player regret around the drafting of Frank. Thanks.

I don't think it works if you add a player drafted ahead of Frank. We're going to have to check the rule book on that.

Checks out

Knicks screwed themselves by winning the last game of the year, bumping them down to 8th where they couldn't pick the Finnish Sniper

Fair point, petition granted under the N'Dourian clause of 2017.

[Triple C]

Read on Twitter

[magnumt]

Read on Twitter

What's our current ENTIRE roster spot situation?

--Mags

[magnumt]

I'd like to petition the board to have Markkanen added to the list of player regret around the drafting of Frank. Thanks.

I don't think it works if you add a player drafted ahead of Frank. We're going to have to check the rule book on that.

Checks out

Knicks screwed themselves by winning the last game of the year, bumping them down to 8th where they couldn't pick the Finnish Sniper

Actually, no.

Knicks got bumped down by LOSING too much.

The Kings rose to 3rd (switched to 5th with 76'ers). Had we won a few more games we'd be 3rd and have Jackson.

--Mags

[Mecca]

Not a PG but we should consider grabbing Jameel Warney. Carried USA to the Americup championship under Van Gundy. Versatile offensive game, defensive player of his conference.

- Also one of my homies that I still chill with.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Read on Twitter

What's our current ENTIRE roster spot situation?

--Mags

Sessions/Baker/Frank/Randle
Tim/Lee/Dotson
Melo/Kuz
KP/Thomas/Beasley
Billy/KOQ/Noah

Kornet 2 way


Randle is odd man out most likely. Not fully gtd or whatever.

[DOT]

I don't think it works if you add a player drafted ahead of Frank. We're going to have to check the rule book on that.

Checks out

Knicks screwed themselves by winning the last game of the year, bumping them down to 8th where they couldn't pick the Finnish Sniper

Actually, no.

Knicks got bumped down by LOSING too much.

The Kings rose to 3rd (switched to 5th with 76'ers). Had we won a few more games we'd be 3rd and have Jackson.

--Mags

Mags, you need to work on your sarcasm detector

[jstudabaka]

I think the PG position will generally be pretty bad. But we'll probably get better defense and less ball-hogging, so overall the Knicks will be better off than last year.

[F N 11]

Interested to see who will win the battle. However you cant be mad at Sessions as he protects the ball and gets the team involved. Will be a great sign if Frank can immediately start. Want to see improvement from Baker. Lets get it my home grown cats.

IDK why yall think because a pint guard doesn't attack every time down they are automatically trash. That's why yall saying we will suck. We will improve defensively and overall. Jason Kidd and Prigioni wasn't dynamic and it worked. Stop being so negative. I rather have some gusy who play D in Baker and Frank than Rose who can make a nice layup but anyone can drive by him.

[shmeakone]

Ron Baker:

6.2 PPG
3.4 APG
2.7 RPG
1.0 SPG
0.4 BPG
41 FG%
30 3P%
20.8 MPG

Ramon Sessions:

9.4 PPG
4.2 APG
2.1 RPG
0.8 SPG
0.1 BPG
43 FG%
33 3P%
23.7 MPG

Frank Ntktilla

7.7 PPG
4.3 APG
3.4 RPG
1.4 SPG
0.5 BPG
42 FG%
36 3P%
24.9 MPG