Fort Knox: A defense of Kevin Knox

[WargamesX]

None of the people who defended the win now decisions made last summer & during last season should be bashing Knox.

These shortsighted trash decisions led to us having a later pick and not being at the top part of the draft where we should have been, specifically to get a certain someone who would have been a perfect fit next to KP and filled a huge need for our core.

You got what you wanted. Save that bullchit for the rodeo.

Mikal Bridges got picked one pick after Knox and is 10 times better. Not being at the top of the draft wasn't the problem, drafting the worst player in the lottery was. We drafted the 3rd best Kentucky player in the draft. No one wanted that.

Knox DESTROYED both the Bridges in the workouts though

Its easy to see why he destroyed them in glimpses like yesterday's game. Its the same reason he killed in summer league. The skill is there, his body still isn't because he's young. Once he gets a couple of years of strength training so his strength is on par with his peers he's going to be a monster.

Like that floater is so underrated in this thread, plus the shot is wet and his rebounding ability and he's 19. Yet some of ya'll are legit hating on him cause he got worn down in his first season in the NBA

The only real lack to his game is his pull up 3. Hopefully, we can leave that to KD and Kyrie next year.

[Spree2Houston]

I'm more optimistic about Knox than Frank for simple fact if he's able to knock down atleast half the shots he's missed this year by next year then he should be a solid pro. His form is good. He just needs better body conditioning, strength, and more repetition with his jumpshot in the offseason. Remember the College 3 is much closer to the hoop than it is in the pros. A lot of rookies struggle their 1st year shooting the 3. By next year, Knox should be shooting better from 3. I've seen players who've looked way worse their rookie years than Knox and then turn into All-Stars.

Guys who've struggled their 1st year but turned into All-Stars

1) Gordon Hayward - 11ppg
2) Demarr Derozan - 8ppg
3) Rudy Gay - 10ppg
4) Kemba Walker - 11ppg
5) Andre Drummond - 8ppg
6) CJ McCollum - 5ppg
7) Andre Iguodala - 9ppg
8) Paul George - 7ppg

Also, all these guys were taking at 9 with the exception of George who was taken at 10. We should expect a big jump in Knox by next year

[DOT]

As someone who wanted Mikal coming out, to be fair, Mikal was always supposed to be better right away, he has a much more defined skillset and is 3 years older. Knox was always supposed to be more raw but with more potential

I don't see him as new Paul George, or even a potential #1 guy, but he's shown flashes of being a quality 2nd option, with the potential to be okay on defense. It's up to us to develop him, and him to grow into that, but I'll take that at 9th any day of the week

In hindsight, I probably would take Mikal, he's just a much more natural pick if we get KD, whereas Knox is a more awkward fit in that lineup

You gotta remember, at the age Knox is now, Mikal was coming off the bench for Nova, shooting sub 30 from 3. Without knowing his growth curve in college, no way you take him over Knox at 18 years old. Obviously he did get significantly better over his 3 years in college, and not everybody grows the same, and Knox still has to develop himself, but writing him off at this point is kinda ridiculous

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[robillionaire]

In 3 years Knox will look a hell of a lot better than mikal bridges does now at age 22 where he is averaging 8 and 3

[Spree2Houston]

In 3 years Knox will look a hell of a lot better than mikal bridges does now at age 22 where he is averaging 8 and 3

This.

The kid shows glimpses of his potential at 19. By 22, he'll put it together.

[Greenie]

None of the people who defended the win now decisions made last summer & during last season should be bashing Knox.

These shortsighted trash decisions led to us having a later pick and not being at the top part of the draft where we should have been, specifically to get a certain someone who would have been a perfect fit next to KP and filled a huge need for our core.

You got what you wanted. Save that bullchit for the rodeo.

Mikal Bridges got picked one pick after Knox and is 10 times better. Not being at the top of the draft wasn't the problem, drafting the worst player in the lottery was. We drafted the 3rd best Kentucky player in the draft. No one wanted that.

Knox DESTROYED both the Bridges in the workouts though

...and yet they are both better.

Workout warrior. That’s Knox.

[Spree2Houston]

Mikal Bridges got picked one pick after Knox and is 10 times better. Not being at the top of the draft wasn't the problem, drafting the worst player in the lottery was. We drafted the 3rd best Kentucky player in the draft. No one wanted that.

Knox DESTROYED both the Bridges in the workouts though

...and yet they are both better.

Workout warrior. That’s Knox.

I didn't know Miles' 6ppg on 41% shooting was better than Knox. I also didn't know Mikal's 8ppg on 42% shooting was better. Mikal is also 3 years older. By 22, Knox won't be averaging 8ppg on 42%

[Jalen Bluntson]

Knox DESTROYED both the Bridges in the workouts though

...and yet they are both better.

Workout warrior. That’s Knox.

I didn't know Miles' 6ppg on 41% shooting was better than Knox. I also didn't know Mikal's 8ppg on 42% shooting was better. Mikal is also 3 years older. By 22, Knox won't be averaging 8ppg on 42%

yeah. They aren't.

[FlashFlood]

The thing about rookies, they come in with a bunch of flaws. Only a handful in history were really "complete" in year one, and traditionally it takes at least a season to evolve into an effective basketball player.

The picture will become alot clearer in year two, because it will tell us if he's going to be a Paul George MVP-caliber player, or if he's going to be a Micheal Beasley journeyman.

The difference will be in his ability to handle a 1v1 matchup, because there are absolute monsters in the league now at the 3-4 tweener position. Every team has a Lebron, Giannis, KD, Draymond, PJ Tucker, Siakam type that will take over the game if you let them. Will he be the kind of guy that says F-U I'm getting mine too and equalizes such matchups, or is he the type to say F-U I'm shutting you down.

So, wait it out folks! Have some patience in this tank year. It'll pan out trust me

[dakomish23]

None of the people who defended the win now decisions made last summer & during last season should be bashing Knox.

These shortsighted trash decisions led to us having a later pick and not being at the top part of the draft where we should have been, specifically to get a certain someone who would have been a perfect fit next to KP and filled a huge need for our core.

You got what you wanted. Save that bullchit for the rodeo.

Mikal Bridges got picked one pick after Knox and is 10 times better. Not being at the top of the draft wasn't the problem, drafting the worst player in the lottery was. We drafted the 3rd best Kentucky player in the draft. No one wanted that.

Guess who’s better than both of them?

[Spree2Houston]

That poster dunk on Simmons is all I needed to know about his aggression. SImmons was talking smack at him the entire game. Knox just went in and WANTED to posterize him. That's a killer/not gonna back down mindset. Once he gets stronger, he'll be use his 6'10 frame much better getting to the rim. Right now, he's not strong enough and gets pushed around a lot. In a few years, he'll be able out muscle these guys going to the rim. He has the frame to add mass. The kid is 6'10 and brings the ball up like he's a guard. Its a often overlooked trait of him. There aren't many guys his height who can move like him.

I'm not worried about his jumpshot. His form is good. He just needs more repetition. The only thing I do worry about is his passing. He needs to learn to become a better passer and moving better off-ball. But that will come with experience.

[Greenie]

Knox DESTROYED both the Bridges in the workouts though

...and yet they are both better.

Workout warrior. That’s Knox.

I didn't know Miles' 6ppg on 41% shooting was better than Knox. I also didn't know Mikal's 8ppg on 42% shooting was better. Mikal is also 3 years older. By 22, Knox won't be averaging 8ppg on 42%

41 is better than 36

42 is better than 36

By 22 Knox will be an end of the bench player...if he’s still in the NBA. So you’re right. He won’t be averaging 8 on 42.

[Greenie]

Knox the new KP

[RHODEY]

Mikal Bridges got picked one pick after Knox and is 10 times better. Not being at the top of the draft wasn't the problem, drafting the worst player in the lottery was. We drafted the 3rd best Kentucky player in the draft. No one wanted that.

Knox DESTROYED both the Bridges in the workouts though

Its easy to see why he destroyed them in glimpses like yesterday's game. Its the same reason he killed in summer league. The skill is there, his body still isn't because he's young. Once he gets a couple of years of strength training so his strength is on par with his peers he's going to be a monster.

Like that floater is so underrated in this thread, plus the shot is wet and his rebounding ability and he's 19. Yet some of ya'll are legit hating on him cause he got worn down in his first season in the NBA

The only real lack to his game is his pull up 3. Hopefully, we can leave that to KD and Kyrie next year.

This is true and lets not over look his mental struggles. His confidence appears to waver so easily. Right now he's the opposite of unflappable and it absolutely effects his shots. But yes that skill is there.

[Spree2Houston]

...and yet they are both better.

Workout warrior. That’s Knox.

I didn't know Miles' 6ppg on 41% shooting was better than Knox. I also didn't know Mikal's 8ppg on 42% shooting was better. Mikal is also 3 years older. By 22, Knox won't be averaging 8ppg on 42%

41 is better than 36

42 is better than 36

By 22 Knox will be an end of the bench player...if he’s still in the NBA. So you’re right. He won’t be averaging 8 on 42.

lol just let it go...and hold this L

[Greenie]

I didn't know Miles' 6ppg on 41% shooting was better than Knox. I also didn't know Mikal's 8ppg on 42% shooting was better. Mikal is also 3 years older. By 22, Knox won't be averaging 8ppg on 42%

41 is better than 36

42 is better than 36

By 22 Knox will be an end of the bench player...if he’s still in the NBA. So you’re right. He won’t be averaging 8 on 42.

lol just let it go...and hold this L

The only one holding the L is you.

You literally posted numbers to make a point when the numbers are not in your favor.

[Thugger HBC]

Knox isn't efficient. He's not expected to be as a rookie. Very few are. He has however shown that he can be better as he gets more comfortable and puts in more work. He'll definitely need to be more efficient especially with the volume of shots he takes, unless of course he crafts his game with getting to the free throw line more.

[E-Balla]

I didn't know Miles' 6ppg on 41% shooting was better than Knox. I also didn't know Mikal's 8ppg on 42% shooting was better. Mikal is also 3 years older. By 22, Knox won't be averaging 8ppg on 42%

41 is better than 36

42 is better than 36

By 22 Knox will be an end of the bench player...if he’s still in the NBA. So you’re right. He won’t be averaging 8 on 42.

lol just let it go...and hold this L

We're comparing them to Knox. They're way better than him.

[Fury]

Knox is mad young. Both Bridges are way more seasoned. And they’re marginally better.

[reub]

In 3 years Knox will look a hell of a lot better than mikal bridges does now at age 22 where he is averaging 8 and 3

This.

The kid shows glimpses of his potential at 19. By 22, he'll put it together.

He'll still be a terrible defender and an unwilling passer.