The Next Official All things Frank Ntilikina Thread

[MaseInYourFace]

I just think it's uneducated to consider Frank a bust or think he's a bum because of his lack of scoring.

Dude is a contibutor on winning basketball teams - which unfortunately the Knicks haven't been.

Defense + ball movement are major keys to playing winning basketball and that's what he does. Sure, we would all like to see the 3% at a much better clip, but someone here posted that outside of 2 sub-par months, he's pretty decent.

With much better talent this year, as long as he can get on the court (looking @ you Fiz) and you put him around finishers and shooters, he will be much better.

Euro ball is played much different than the NBA, just need to look at mechanics and aggression (to a degree, since Euro ball and scheme) but defense and ball movement is key. That is winning basketball.

We're Knicks fans - supposed to know better, not "OmG NoT ShOoTiNg ThReE oR FoRcInG"

You can’t be a zero offensively in current nba. Especially not at guard/wing. Wing a bit more forgiving but you still need to function as a spacer. I probably sound like a broken record at this point but I feel like some fans here still think it’s the 90s or early aughts.

[MaseInYourFace]

Frank’s passing is a little overrated too. He is good in the sense that he often makes the right pass but he doesn’t have great vision and his passing is somewhat predictable/robotic also.

[spree2kawhi]

Here's the thing. Frank is a throwback player to the days when people cared about defense and not just offense. Bruce Bowen NEVER averaged over 10 points a game in ANY season but he's considered as a big reason why the Spurs were so good. With that said, people waiting and/or hoping Frank becomes a 12-14 ppg guy may never see that. Is that a bad thing?? Ask the Spurs... It's up to the Knicks organization to foster a roster that can utilize each guy's skill-set to the fullest. I like Fiz and am a huge supporter but like Horn, he didn't do Frank any favors the way he asked him to play.

All this crazy talk about Frank being out of the league in a couple of years is just that - CRAZY. Our problem is that we don't have a roster capable of bringing out Frank's talents - which is defense & unselfishness.

Some people's expectation is the problem and not necessarily Frank. He is who he is and that probably won't change.

Bowen could really shoot...

[Fat Kat]

Anyone have any highlights?

[iLLmatic860]

Yall know these games dont count yet right. Lets see how he do when he plays meaningful games

Ehh you gotta be careful using that logic. An argument can also be made he should be doing better since there is no pressure and the games don’t count yet.

The tournament starts less than 2 weeks away. Lol lets just chill with statements like “he doesnt look like an nba player”

[Kampuchea]

Yall know these games dont count yet right. Lets see how he do when he plays meaningful games

Ehh you gotta be careful using that logic. An argument can also be made he should be doing better since there is no pressure and the games don’t count yet.

The tournament starts less than 2 weeks away. Lol lets just chill with statements like “he doesnt look like an nba player”

We have years of evidence now, these latest games are just adding to the pile.

I think he will maybe get 1 more NBA deal before heading overseas. I'm not here to trash him, I just haven't seen enough on offense for him to stick in the league.

[thebuzzardman]

Frank’s passing is a little overrated too. He is good in the sense that he often makes the right pass but he doesn’t have great vision and his passing is somewhat predictable/robotic also.

His vision is pretty good and his passing is "predictable" in that he usually makes the right pass, as you said.

[iLLmatic860]

Ehh you gotta be careful using that logic. An argument can also be made he should be doing better since there is no pressure and the games don’t count yet.

The tournament starts less than 2 weeks away. Lol lets just chill with statements like “he doesnt look like an nba player”

We have years of evidence now, these latest games are just adding to the pile.

I think he will maybe get 1 more NBA deal before heading overseas. I'm not here to trash him, I just haven't seen enough on offense for him to stick in the league.

Andre Roberson and Tony Allen had starting jobs in the nba. Just saying Frank will be viewed as a defensive specialist to playoff teams.

Your telling me a guy who can guard the opposing teams best guards have no value in this league?

[Kampuchea]

The tournament starts less than 2 weeks away. Lol lets just chill with statements like “he doesnt look like an nba player”

We have years of evidence now, these latest games are just adding to the pile.

I think he will maybe get 1 more NBA deal before heading overseas. I'm not here to trash him, I just haven't seen enough on offense for him to stick in the league.

Andre Roberson and Tony Allen had starting jobs in the nba. Just saying Frank will be viewed as a defensive specialist to playoff teams.

Your telling me a guy who can guard the opposing teams best guards have no value in this league?

Need to consider his net contribution. We will have spacing issues with Guards that have no shooting or scoring ability at all and that impacts everyone on the floor. My feeling is that he takes away from our own ability to score more than he takes away from our opponents.

The guys you mentioned never had an EFG% as low as Frank at any point in their career.

I am not advocating we cut him. We can afford to keep him this year and make our final decision by trade deadline or next offseason. I am just not confident in him being good enough to stick around.

[iLLmatic860]

We have years of evidence now, these latest games are just adding to the pile.

I think he will maybe get 1 more NBA deal before heading overseas. I'm not here to trash him, I just haven't seen enough on offense for him to stick in the league.

Andre Roberson and Tony Allen had starting jobs in the nba. Just saying Frank will be viewed as a defensive specialist to playoff teams.

Your telling me a guy who can guard the opposing teams best guards have no value in this league?

Need to consider his net contribution. We will have spacing issues with Guards that have no shooting or scoring ability at all and that impacts everyone on the floor. My feeling is that he takes away from our own ability to score more than he takes away from our opponents.

The guys you mentioned never had an EFG% as low as Frank at any point in their career.

I am not advocating we cut him. We can afford to keep him this year and make our final decision by trade deadline or next offseason. I am just not confident in him being good enough to stick around.

Yeah that I agree with. Frank will not be a Knick next season.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Honestly...this convo is on the treadmill...entering death a spiral. There is no logic whatsoever in giving up on a player his age with his defensive skill. He was a project. The player most Frank haters wanted is here anyway so...what the problem is? Let him rock. I don't get how this thought process works. Witness decades of never keeping or developing picks/players...then rush to throw them away once we do? We could put a championship contending team together listing the players and picks we have let go!!

[MaseInYourFace]

Frank’s passing is a little overrated too. He is good in the sense that he often makes the right pass but he doesn’t have great vision and his passing is somewhat predictable/robotic also.

His vision is pretty good and his passing is "predictable" in that he usually makes the right pass, as you said.

Let me be more specific. He doesn’t make that pass where he’s ahead of the defense and you go wow he saw the play in his head before it happened.

[MaseInYourFace]

The tournament starts less than 2 weeks away. Lol lets just chill with statements like “he doesnt look like an nba player”

We have years of evidence now, these latest games are just adding to the pile.

I think he will maybe get 1 more NBA deal before heading overseas. I'm not here to trash him, I just haven't seen enough on offense for him to stick in the league.

Andre Roberson and Tony Allen had starting jobs in the nba. Just saying Frank will be viewed as a defensive specialist to playoff teams.

Your telling me a guy who can guard the opposing teams best guards have no value in this league?

Tony Allen’s prime was right before this current era in the nba. Roberson has been hurt a lot but he was all nba level defender when he most recently was playing. He was on a team with Paul George, Melo and Westbrook keep that in mind though.

[MaseInYourFace]

Honestly...this convo is on the treadmill...entering death a spiral. There is no logic whatsoever in giving up on a player his age with his defensive skill. He was a project. The player most Frank haters wanted is here anyway so...what the problem is? Let him rock. I don't get how this thought process works. Witness decades of never keeping or developing picks/players...then rush to throw them away once we do? We could put a championship contending team together listing the players and picks we have let go!!

Frank was drafted too high that was problem #1. He should have been drafted right after lottery or late 1st. He’s on the team though and boy do I wish he figures out a role at nba level. But I would like people to be realistic about his current progress and status.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Honestly...this convo is on the treadmill...entering death a spiral. There is no logic whatsoever in giving up on a player his age with his defensive skill. He was a project. The player most Frank haters wanted is here anyway so...what the problem is? Let him rock. I don't get how this thought process works. Witness decades of never keeping or developing picks/players...then rush to throw them away once we do? We could put a championship contending team together listing the players and picks we have let go!!

Frank was drafted too high that was problem #1. He should have been drafted right after lottery or late 1st. He’s on the team though and boy do I wish he figures out a role at nba level. But I would like people to be realistic about his current progress and status.

Like I said...the player a lot of people wanted is also here...so...his draft position shouldn't matter. He's here. Let him rock. If he doesn't stick oh well....what's the rush? How many players/picks have we given away or not re-signed have gone on to have solid careers? When it comes time to pay him...then you decide. Right now...there is no reason. He was 18. Will people be giving up on RJ in 2 years?

[Deeeez Knicks]

Yeah, agree 100%. You still need players like that. Raptors had Danny Green starting (9ppg career), and GS had Dray (7.4 ppg, on 6.4 shots)...they were still extremly valuable players on championship caliber teams

Green has proven value offensively as a consistent spacer. Draymond has dropped off offensively but is still somewhat of a physical freak who can play point forward and defend outside and inside. Frank needs to carve out a role for himself like that. Right now all we have is hope.

Your right that Frank needs to carve out a role on offense and can't be as bad as he is now. I don't think he's that far away from being able to do so. If he can just develop a consistent 3 he will be there. Obviously we want more, but if he could just do that it would be a good start.

Even if he isn't someone that takes 12-15 shots a game, he can still be a good player. There's a lot of examples of players like that who were able to improve there 3

[thebuzzardman]

Franks not going to get any playing time on this team, so I'm past caring.

Hell, Perry brought in another PG he's enamored of, so if I'm DSJr, I'd be nervous too.

Payton about to Mudiay DSJr.

[Jalen Bluntson]

Franks not going to get any playing time on this team, so I'm past caring.

Hell, Perry brought in another PG he's enamored of, so if I'm DSJr, I'd be nervous too.

Payton about to Mudiay DSJr.

This is a concern for Frank. Perry brought in 4 other PG with Frank being here. Burke/Mud/DSJ/Payton. If he wants to get minutes...he's going to have to take them this year. It's not a good position to be in for him. Being a Phil pick shouldn't matter but...looks like it does. If Frank wants a job...He's gonna have to fight for it. The FO/Jeff/Fiz have shown very little concern about his development...at PG at least.

[Kampuchea]

Here's the thing. Frank is a throwback player to the days when people cared about defense and not just offense. Bruce Bowen NEVER averaged over 10 points a game in ANY season but he's considered a big reason why the Spurs were so good. With that said, people waiting and/or hoping Frank becomes a 12-14 ppg guy may never see that. Is that a bad thing?? Ask the Spurs... It's up to the Knicks organization to foster a roster that can utilize each guy's skill-set to the fullest. I like Fiz and am a huge supporter but like Horn, he didn't do Frank any favors the way he asked him to play.

All this crazy talk about Frank being out of the league in a couple of years is just that - CRAZY. Our problem is that we don't have a roster capable of bringing out Frank's talents - which is defense & unselfishness.

Some people's expectation is the problem and not necessarily Frank. He is who he is and that probably won't change.

Yeah, agree 100%. You still need players like that. Raptors had Danny Green starting (9ppg career), and GS had Dray (7.4 ppg, on 6.4 shots)...they were still extremly valuable players on championship caliber teams

Where are people who want Frank to average a certain number of points per game? I haven't read through all hundred pages of the Frank threads but that seems like PPG is something that people wouldn't be concerned with. If so it must be a significant minority.

Personally, I am just hoping he can become a slightly below-average shooter as that would make him an asset overall.

[thebuzzardman]

Franks not going to get any playing time on this team, so I'm past caring.

Hell, Perry brought in another PG he's enamored of, so if I'm DSJr, I'd be nervous too.

Payton about to Mudiay DSJr.

This is a concern for Frank. Perry brought in 4 other PG with Frank being here. Burke/Mud/DSJ/Payton. If he wants to get minutes...he's going to have to take them this year. It's not a good position to be in for him. Being a Phil pick shouldn't matter but...looks like it does. If Frank wants a job...He's gonna have to fight for it. The FO/Jeff/Fiz have shown very little concern about his development...at PG at least.

Whatever Frank is or isn't, this FO has shown that they aren't that into him. I'd be surprised if he even dresses most games. He's the 3rd string PG, 4th string SG and 4th string SF right now. If he bulked up, he could be the 5th string PF.

The only universe he gets playing time on the Knicks is one full of injuries or if he somehow was still on the team post trade deadline and the Knicks traded like 4 of the 1 year contract guys.

I think he's one of those players, like a lot of the 19 year olds, that needed 3 full seasons to get it together. However, the way that cap holds etc work, for a lot of them it will be on their 2nd team, which includes Frank. And yes, that might be a defensive role player. I think he'll stick somewhere, but not the Knicks.