Frank Ntilikina

[The-Power]

I understand that and that age certainly is at play in evaluators minds but surely there must be a more significant factor if in reality Frank is considered top ten and GDP is considered late 2nd(which is not necessarily true at all, purely going off DX ratings/mocks.

There probably are other factors. But a 2-year difference in age with everything else being equal can absolutely be the difference between lottery pick and second rounder.

[Mirotic12]

I keep flip flopping on Frank. I love the length and defensive potential, and his skills are much more refined than someone like Exum, if we want to go with that comparison, but I'm really not sold on his ability to ever be a PG at the NBA level.

If you watch his team, SIG, play any games, you could see that he does hardly any play making to create for other players of any kind whatsoever. Other guards on that team handle virtually all of the team's play making to get other guys shots.

Regardless of them listing him as a point guard, they clearly don't use him that way. I don't know if that's simply because he's 18 and so obviously not ready to do that at a pro level, or if it's because he's not much of a play maker for other players.

He really does almost no play making for his teammates at all, but he's being billed totally and completely as a point guard, which is a bit odd.

He plays on offense something similar to a Jamal Crawford style of game, yet he's being called a point guard. It really does not make much sense.

[Dr Positivity]

I keep flip flopping on Frank. I love the length and defensive potential, and his skills are much more refined than someone like Exum, if we want to go with that comparison, but I'm really not sold on his ability to ever be a PG at the NBA level.

If you watch his team, SIG, play any games, you could see that he does hardly any play making to create for other players of any kind whatsoever. Other guards on that team handle virtually all of the team's play making to get other guys shots.

Regardless of them listing him as a point guard, they clearly don't use him that way. I don't know if that's simply because he's 18 and so obviously not ready to do that at a pro level, or if it's because he's not much of a play maker for other players.

He really does almost no play making for his teammates at all, but he's being billed totally and completely as a point guard, which is a bit odd.

He plays on offense something similar to a Jamal Crawford style of game, yet he's being called a point guard. It really does not make much sense.

To back this up, Frank is 10th on his team in both Ast/40 and Ast %.

It reminds me a little bit of the Bender point forward talk last year. If he was a revolutionary passer how come he wasn't getting assists? (He's gone on to average 1.3 ast/40 in his rookie year)

[Disposable Hero]

It's a real shame we didn't get a chance to see Frank and Ferguson in college. I have a feeling if we did they'd both be way more hyped than they are. You can't judge 18 y/o playing in men's leagues like you do college kids. The times both these kids played with and against kids their own age they've dominated and I think they would have done so if they went to a top school as their talent dictated.

[Nazrmohamed]

I keep flip flopping on Frank. I love the length and defensive potential, and his skills are much more refined than someone like Exum, if we want to go with that comparison, but I'm really not sold on his ability to ever be a PG at the NBA level.

If you watch his team, SIG, play any games, you could see that he does hardly any play making to create for other players of any kind whatsoever. Other guards on that team handle virtually all of the team's play making to get other guys shots.

Regardless of them listing him as a point guard, they clearly don't use him that way. I don't know if that's simply because he's 18 and so obviously not ready to do that at a pro level, or if it's because he's not much of a play maker for other players.

He really does almost no play making for his teammates at all, but he's being billed totally and completely as a point guard, which is a bit odd.

He plays on offense something similar to a Jamal Crawford style of game, yet he's being called a point guard. It really does not make much sense.

To back this up, Frank is 10th on his team in both Ast/40 and Ast %.

It reminds me a little bit of the Bender point forward talk last year. If he was a revolutionary passer how come he wasn't getting assists? (He's gone on to average 1.3 ast/40 in his rookie year)

It's the European culture of basketball. These guys are pros much earlier already and stay over there unless good enough to come to the nba. What that means is nobody is gonna coddle an 18 yr old while he develops only to watch them leave for the nba anyway. There is no such thing as development over there. A guy like Towns would go over there and there would be no rebuilding team to force feed you shots sink or swim in hopes that you'll be thier franchise player in 3 yrs. Remember, as awesome as Rubio looked in highlights his minutes and stats weren't all that hot either. Brandon Jennings thought he'd skip college and have it good over there and ended up playing off the ball and putting up similar stats. Not saying he is some star but his first few years on what we consider a bigger stage and he from an individual standpoint was able to better showcase his talent.

Now I just don't know what Frank is gonna do here and scouts are wrong alot but for him to be ranked so high and probably higher than guys statistically out performing him in France it must say he stands out. Ive seen some of his skills and like what I see

Lastly I will say this. There have been varying players from France. Some stars like Gobert or Parker, some role players like Turiaf or Galebal. But keeping in mind this variance, when have you ever known a French player to not have the physicality to play in the nba? Most can carve out some role cuz french league plays a very American style and guys are pretty athletic and strong for thier ages compared to other euros. Now that doesnt really prove he's worth a lotto pick but again if scouts feel hes a lottery talent and it don't work out I doubt itll be cuz he's soft is all Im saying.

[vincecarter4pres]

Watching his U18 games, am I crazy for seeing shades of Ginobili?

[doordoor123]

Watching his U18 games, am I crazy for seeing shades of Ginobili?

Ginobili is white. I don't see it.

[LuessiT]

Watching his U18 games, am I crazy for seeing shades of Ginobili?

Ginobili is white. I don't see it.

But Ginobili's shade is black.

[Mulhollanddrive]

I'm thinking NY might be the first team to seriously consider Ntilikina with their pick at around 6-7.

- Triangle needs guards who aren't ball dominant dribblers.
- Ideally good off ball, good vision, can spot up or create, defensive minded.
- NY has a history of international picks .
- Hit spectacularly with a 'reach' in Porzingis.

Shooting percentages quite similar (2%/3%/FT%) in season before draft:
Ntilikina - 52 / 41 / 66
Porzingis - 55 / 36 / 77

Ntilikina also 13 months younger in their respective season.

[916fan]

I'm thinking NY might be the first team to seriously consider Ntilikina with their pick at around 6-7.

- Triangle needs guards who aren't ball dominant dribblers.
- Ideally good off ball, good vision, can spot up or create, defensive minded.
- NY has a history of international picks .
- Hit spectacularly with a 'reach' in Porzingis.

Shooting percentages quite similar (2%/3%/FT%) in season before draft:
Ntilikina - 52 / 41 / 66
Porzingis - 55 / 36 / 77

Ntilikina also 13 months younger in their respective season.

I could see that happening, however, I wonder if the Knicks go away from the triangle. Another thing to note is that Zingers is a solid shot creator, but he seems to be most effective when others are creating shots for him. I think he needs a playmaking PG next to him. NY just hasn't had a PG who could fully expose teams in the PnR. That was his bread and butter before the NBA.

Ntilikina on the other hand, seems to be a timid playmaker. It doesn't come natural to him, and he'll need a lot of time to develop his PG skills. I don't think that bods well with Porzingis.

I think Porzingis has HOF talent. I hope the Knicks can surround him with the right players.

[The-Power]

Ntilikina on the other hand, seems to be a timid playmaker. It doesn't come natural to him, and he'll need a lot of time to develop his PG skills. I don't think that bods well with Porzingis.

Ntilikina isn't a great floor general (distributing, pacing, awareness etc.) nor an overly impressive passer. That said, his biggest playmaking asset is the way he handles the PnR in which he is composed, creative and can react according to defenses (pull up, hit the roll man, kick out - what he lacks is the ability to drive to the rim at this point). In other words: if you want Ntilikina to handle the ball and create at this point, let him do it with Porzingis in the PnR.

Ideally you put him next to someone who can (also) create consistently, though.

[AthleticAffairs]

The dude is legit! I made a video about him

Sent from my VS985 4G using RealGM mobile app

[Mirotic12]

I'm thinking NY might be the first team to seriously consider Ntilikina with their pick at around 6-7.

- Triangle needs guards who aren't ball dominant dribblers.
- Ideally good off ball, good vision, can spot up or create, defensive minded.
- NY has a history of international picks .
- Hit spectacularly with a 'reach' in Porzingis.

Shooting percentages quite similar (2%/3%/FT%) in season before draft:
Ntilikina - 52 / 41 / 66
Porzingis - 55 / 36 / 77

Ntilikina also 13 months younger in their respective season.

Ntilikina is shooting 50.4% overall from the field 47.1% on 3s, 56.4 on free throws, in the French League (LNB Pro A).

http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Pro-A/200006/Joueurs/A52562/Ntilikina-Frank

Ntilikina shot 44.9% overall from the field, 39.5% on 3s, and 72.7% on free throws, in the Basketball Champions League (BCL).

http://www.basketballcl.com/16-17/Strasbourg#|tab=statistics,all_phases

In both leagues combined, he has so far shot 48.2% from the field overall, 43.1% from 3 point range, and on free throws just 65.8%, which isn't a good sign, considering most of his shots from the field are when open.


Porzingis, in his last year in Spain...

http://www.acb.com/stsacum.php?cod_competicion=LACB&cod_edicion=59&cod_equipo=SEV&totales=1

He shot 47.1% overall from the field in Spanish League, 31.3% from 3 point range, and 77.3% on free throws.

http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=003695&seasoncode=U2014

He shot 55.6% overall, 45.9% on 3s, and 70.7% on free throws in the EuroCup.

Combined, he shot 49.6% overall from the field, 35.9% from 3 point range, and 75.3% on free throws.


Ntilikina - 48 / 43 / 66
Porzingis - 50 / 36 / 75

[The-Power]

Ntilikina is shooting 50.4% overall from the field 47.1% on 3s, 56.4 on free throws, in the French League (LNB Pro A).

http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Pro-A/200006/Joueurs/A52562/Ntilikina-Frank

Ntilikina shot 44.9% overall from the field, 39.5% on 3s, and 72.7% on free throws, in the Basketball Champions League (BCL).

http://www.basketballcl.com/16-17/Strasbourg#|tab=statistics,all_phases

In both leagues combined, he has so far shot 48.2% from the field overall, 43.1% from 3 point range, and on free throws just 65.8%, which isn't a good sign, considering most of his shots from the field are when open.

Let's not disregard the sample size.

For the first sample, he's 9-16. For the second sample, it's 16-22. A combined 38 FTA are hardly representative for how good of a shooter and/or free throw shooter a player is.

By the way, he was 12-13 in FIBA U18. Add that and you have a 73.5% free throw shooter and this number is only going to go up over time and with more regular repetitions. So the percentages you posted are quite misleading when you don't even mention the extremely small sample.

[Mirotic12]

Ntilikina is shooting 50.4% overall from the field 47.1% on 3s, 56.4 on free throws, in the French League (LNB Pro A).

http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Pro-A/200006/Joueurs/A52562/Ntilikina-Frank

Ntilikina shot 44.9% overall from the field, 39.5% on 3s, and 72.7% on free throws, in the Basketball Champions League (BCL).

http://www.basketballcl.com/16-17/Strasbourg#|tab=statistics,all_phases

In both leagues combined, he has so far shot 48.2% from the field overall, 43.1% from 3 point range, and on free throws just 65.8%, which isn't a good sign, considering most of his shots from the field are when open.

Let's not disregard the sample size.

For the first sample, he's 9-16. For the second sample, it's 16-22. A combined 38 FTA are hardly representative for how good of a shooter and/or free throw shooter a player is.

By the way, he was 12-13 in FIBA U18. Add that and you have a 73.5% free throw shooter and this number is only going to go up over time and with more regular repetitions. So the percentages you posted are quite misleading when you don't even mention the extremely small sample.

His free throw percentage is a bad sign. Because his shooting percentages are mostly on open jumpers and/or easy dunks and layups. So his shooting numbers are a bit inflated, which coincidentally is backed up by his free throw numbers.

I'm not saying he isn't a good shooter - he is a good shooter and he hits a good percentage of 3s when teams leave him open, but people have to put stats in context. He is shooting easy shots, wide open 3s mostly, and most of the 2 point attempts are open dunks and layups. So it's natural for his shooting numbers to look good. Against good defensive set pressure, he won't have such numbers.

It's normal, he's an 18 year old kid playing in men's pro leagues in Europe, so of course the defensive pressure the opponents put on him will be less than the other players. But we always have to remember, you can't look at stats and shooting percentages and put no context to them. The context of what kinds of shots he takes, is more important than number of shots taken (sample size).

[ALL HAIL]

How is Lonzo Ball any better than this guy? They seem, to me, to be very, very similar.

[MotownMadness]

How is Lonzo Ball any better than this guy? They seem, to me, to be very, very similar.

I don't think he has anywhere near the playmaking ability that Ball has.

[MadGrinch]

truthfully i think ntilikina is perfect for the triangle offense in ny and hornacek's offense which works best with 2 playmaking guards

his major flaw may be he isnt ready to be a fulltime point guard but he dominates when he is playing in his age bracket something to consider when he is the youngest player in the draft (or close to it)

all of the top pg's despite their individual talents still have major holes in their games they have to improve on.

[The-Power]

How is Lonzo Ball any better than this guy? They seem, to me, to be very, very similar.

I don't think he has anywhere near the playmaking ability that Ball has.

Yes. Ntilikina isn't a floor general nor a great passer which are exactly Ball's biggest strengths. Frank is better defensively with more upside, a more reliable shooter. He has also shown to be capable ballhandler in the PnR when he played against his peer-group but both him and Ball must learn how to use the drive to break down defenses in the PnR.

truthfully i think ntilikina is perfect for the triangle offense in ny and hornacek's offense which works best with 2 playmaking guards

I agree. He can also run the PnR with Porzingis which makes him a perfect fit if NY wants to run the more traditional triangle offense mixed up with the currently prevalent PnR offense.

[franckyvinvin12]

Honestly, the more I seen Frank play, the more I think he needs to stay in Europe for at least a year or two. He has all the skills he needs to be successful in the NBA, but he lacks confidence. Going to the NBA is a big step and he'll need to mature, adjust to the english language, and ajust to the better level : all of this is a lot to take in as a rookie, and I'm really afraid it might shatter the little confidence he has.

I really can see the similarities with Exum : Exum wasn't ready when he came, and he's having a hard time building some confidence and driving to the rim.