Official Frank Ntilikina Thread

[taj2133]

New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina’s path to playing time is cluttered
Aside from impending free agents, if there was ever a player’s future on the New York Knicks in doubt, it was Frank Ntilikina. His name floated in trade rumors more than anyone, whether in the fall of 2018, at the trade deadline or before the draft.

Over halfway through 2019, and with free agency’s dust mostly settled, Ntilikina remains a Knick. He may have a future with the organization, but, perhaps, as uncertain as anything seen in his tumultuous run through the 2018-19 season.







Ntilikina survived the draft and free agency’s onslaught, which might have painted a positive future; but the Knicks added Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington, RJ Barrett and potentially Reggie Bullock for the backcourt. Kadeem Allen, Dennis Smith Jr. Allonzo Trier and Damyean Dotson are all still rostered.

Where does the path clear?

If at point guard, Ntilikina is the third-stringer, at best, with the newly-signed Payton and the offensively-intriguing Smith competing for minutes. Allen, on a two-way contract, impressed in his short stints.

Move down the depth chart, and the Knicks have Barrett, Ellington, Trier, Dotson and maybe Bullock to handle just shooting guard alone, and some of them can play the small-ball small forward spot. Ntilikina’s fit anywhere in that mix is questionable.
Head coach David Fizdale used the Frenchman at the 3 sporadically, taking him off the ball, in a defensive specialist role. That might be his best and only role to take with the Knicks, barring the roster clearing out via trade or Bullock does not sign.

Basically, there is no clear-cut role for Ntilikina to take right now. The situation may sort itself out by September, but the depth chart, as it stands, is too crowded to decipher where he fits.

It is only midway through July, and offseason moves across the NBA are not done. The Knicks can clear this roster clutter by trading Ntilikina, arguably his best-case scenario to find an opportunity elsewhere, because his window may have closed with the struggles and injuries of last season and the offseason adds.



Maybe Ntilikina finally takes a step forward, develops confidence and a jumpshot with the New York Knicks. It would be a surprise development at this point, as he likely needs an injury or poor play from one or more players to open a spot. Risky to assume at this point, it is still ideal for these sides to separate before opening night.
https://dailyknicks.com/2019/07/14/new-york-knicks-frank-ntilikina-path-playing-time-cluttered/

[taj2133]

Watch on YouTube

[Context]

Tired of defending Frank

I'll let this guy's videos do it for me LOL

Watch on YouTube

I figured since you put me onto this guy- it was only right I post this- when I ran into it this morning:

Watch on YouTube

In my mind there is absolutely no reason to trade him...Frank is putting in that work...

[Reign23]

I still have hope for him, but adding vets to a already crowded backcourt sucks..

[taj2133]

Read on Twitter

[ElBichote]

I'm always conflicted about Frank.

Sometimes I feel like he should be traded for whatever the Knicks can get (almost nothing).

Now I'm starting to come around. He's still a complete and utter project and might not become a real contributor for a few years.

Now is the perfect time to sign him to a multi-year contract. Lock him in when his value is basement level. Then he can grow without being a real cap hit.

[taj2133]

I'm always conflicted about Frank.

Sometimes I feel like he should be traded for whatever the Knicks can get (almost nothing).

Now I'm starting to come around. He's still a complete and utter project and might not become a real contributor for a few years.

Now is the perfect time to sign him to a multi-year contract. Lock him in when his value is basement level. Then he can grow without being a real cap hit.

Frank isn't getting any multi year contract from the knicks right now and he doesn't deserve it.

[ElBichote]

I'm always conflicted about Frank.

Sometimes I feel like he should be traded for whatever the Knicks can get (almost nothing).

Now I'm starting to come around. He's still a complete and utter project and might not become a real contributor for a few years.

Now is the perfect time to sign him to a multi-year contract. Lock him in when his value is basement level. Then he can grow without being a real cap hit.

Frank isn't getting any multi year contract from the knicks right now and he doesn't deserve it.

You wouldn't lock him in at the minimum for 3 years? If he shows any sort of improvement this season that's something the Knicks should seriously consider. He shows flashes of having the sort of complementary role playing combo guard game that fits well on contending teams. Not so much poorly coached dumpster fires filled with low IQ gunners.

[taj2133]

I'm always conflicted about Frank.

Sometimes I feel like he should be traded for whatever the Knicks can get (almost nothing).

Now I'm starting to come around. He's still a complete and utter project and might not become a real contributor for a few years.

Now is the perfect time to sign him to a multi-year contract. Lock him in when his value is basement level. Then he can grow without being a real cap hit.

Frank isn't getting any multi year contract from the knicks right now and he doesn't deserve it.

You wouldn't lock him in at the minimum for 3 years? If he shows any sort of improvement this season that's something the Knicks should seriously consider. He shows flashes of having the sort of complementary role playing combo guard game that fits well on contending teams. Not so much poorly coached dumpster fires filled with low IQ gunners.

I think it better for frank and the knicks and go its separate ways its best for both parties to split.

[NYKnickerbocker]

Frank gotta ball out

[El Poochio]

Scenes here if Frank doesnt even make the cut for France squad

[TheGreenArrow]

Read on Twitter

Tommy must have had too many beers....

No way trier is behind dotson and bullock.

Trier is the 6th man. He has a solid chance to win the award.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

A team with a playmaking wing is going to trade for him and use him the way we should use him with RJ and everyone will be shocked by how good he can be. Book it.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

[Polk377]

Those down on Frank Ntilikina please watch this and read my breakdown!

Watch on YouTube

Here is some great footage on how Frank directed three games against the Bulls his rookie season. Sure the Bulls were bad and that's not the point. This is only studying Frank's game. I will break down exactly how Frank affects the outcome of games in a positive way even as early as his rookie season.

Of course we start with Ntilikina's main strength which is his defense. Frank engaged his matchup frequently from full to 3/4 court. He scanned the defense quickly and directed his man to where he had help. He read and reacted to movement very quickly, always contesting on a shot in his area or getting in position to secure the ball. When a rebound was secured he was quickly looking to get the ball and push up court with his head up reading the defense. Ntilikina knew exactly what his options were and where his teammates should have been. He frequently make the right pass or took what the defense gave him. He did not force very often and waited for his next option to get to their desired position. In the half court, he has good ball control and used hesitations to get into triple threat position which usually came off of a pick. The ball did not stick in his hands for too long. If his option was not there he swung the ball to the next man up to make a play. We end with his shooting. The shots Frank was taking were mostly low contested. He missed too many wide open shots which has been his biggest weakness through his second season. He did however makes some shots or finished at the basket throughout the game in timely moments.

Frank played with alot of poise for a kid who was just 19 in a whole new world to him. Let's also take note on who was mostly on the court with him in those games as well. Not exactly a group of shot creators or high end finishers. He is just now growing into his body and getting comfortable being an NBA player at only 21 years of age. Lets not forget he just so happens to now be near 6'7 with a 7'1-2" wingspan and what I'm guessing based on appearance about 210-15 pounds. The same height and weight of RJ Barrett with even longer reach. He has deliberately been showing us that he has been working hard on his main weakness this off season with all of these workout videos.

Lets just say Frank is only making 3 or 4 more of these shots a game and is now scoring 12-16 ppg. Now add in the rest of his talents and this team is that much better with him on the floor leading the offense.

[taj2133]

Those down on Frank Ntilikina please watch this and read my breakdown!

Watch on YouTube

Here is some great footage on how Frank directed three games against the Bulls his rookie season. Sure the Bulls were bad and that's not the point. This is only studying Frank's game. I will break down exactly how Frank affects the outcome of games in a positive way even as early as his rookie season.

Of course we start with Ntilikina's main strength which is his defense. Frank engaged his matchup frequently from full to 3/4 court. He scanned the defense quickly and directed his man to where he had help. He read and reacted to movement very quickly, always contesting on a shot in his area or getting in position to secure the ball. When a rebound was secured he was quickly looking to get the ball and push up court with his head up reading the defense. Ntilikina knew exactly what his options were and where his teammates should have been. He frequently make the right pass or took what the defense gave him. He did not force very often and waited for his next option to get to their desired position. In the half court, he has good ball control and used hesitations to get into triple threat position which usually came off of a pick. The ball did not stick in his hands for too long. If his option was not there he swung the ball to the next man up to make a play. We end with his shooting. The shots Frank was taking were mostly low contested. He missed too many wide open shots which has been his biggest weakness through his second season. He did however makes some shots or finished at the basket throughout the game in timely moments.

Frank played with alot of poise for a kid who was just 19 in a whole new world to him. Let's also take note on who was mostly on the court with him in those games as well. Not exactly a group of shot creators or high end finishers. He is just now growing into his body and getting comfortable being an NBA player at only 21 years of age. Lets not forget he just so happens to now be near 6'7 with a 7'1-2" wingspan and what I'm guessing based on appearance about 210-15 pounds. The same height and weight of RJ Barrett with even longer reach. He has deliberately been showing us that he has been working hard on his main weakness this off season with all of these workout videos.

Lets just say Frank is only making 3 or 4 more of these shots a game and is now scoring 12-16 ppg. Now add in the rest of his talents and this team is that much better with him on the floor leading the offense.

The problem with frank is this the front office and coaching staff don't believe him or don't have confidence in frank. Also the problem with frank he is not aggressive on the offensive side of ball if you can't beat out jack,session, mudiay, and burke in your first 2 season in nba you don't deserve a starting job. The competition wasn't that tough for frank in his first 2 season to be starter in nba before dsj arrived and frank blew his chance. Unless frank improves dramatically and shows great progress he won't be part of the rotation there is too many guys ahead of him at the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward position. I expect the knicks to decline frank 4 year option of 6 million dollar this october and i expect frank either gets traded or cut by the trade deadline.

[blanko]

The body height/size thing is hard to understand because we have so few examples. We have plenty of " 6'9" " guys at various weights and playing in various styles, so we can make decent stabs at thinking, eg, Zion should shed a few pounds. Once you go over " 7'1" " everything becomes extremely murky.

Sabonis, for example, had huge problems - a lot attributable to his team rushing him back from injury/surgery in his mid-late 20s (Russia national team/his team in Lithuania) - but nevertheless played at least somewhat effectively as a pro (even in the NBA) until his late, late 30s.

A crude take away might be that: if you aren't completely broken then even as a hobbled 30+ year old 7'3" you are of real value. (If you were a good player to start with.)

There is (and always was) a seemingly high risk factor with a 7'3" player. And maybe the biomechanics of KP's jump and/or leg movement on his shot before he was injured were tells that some injury was inevitable. But the upside/ceiling ... my god. Do we really think Julius Randle (who I like as a player and think a good signing on a good contract) has anything close? You compare him to AD .. fine .. but an AD 3"+ taller and who shoots 3pters at 40%.

[ I'm (again ) not interested in engaging in the MSG-PR stuff about who wanted who out of where .. so let's just leave that alone. ]

For Frank: I'm eternally optimistic, because he understands how to play (including in the NBA). Now, whether any coach for the NYK, or the FO for the NYK, understands how to play is a pretty moot subject as of right now. So, maybe they will also discard him. And his minutes will go to black-flock-of-seagulls or Kadeem-almost-played-my-way-out-of-the-G-league-Allen. In which case :shrug:

Excellent post. My initial response was more along the line of KP being much lighter weight-wise in comparison to those other players mentioned. Most NBA players are outliers as far as height is concerned so there will always be worries on putting so much stress on their weight bearing joints in their lower extremities (hip/knees/ankles in specific.) That goes up exponentially when you're dealing with guys that are much heavier in weight.

Sabonis' prime was a bit before I started watching basketball and I know he used to be a pretty good athlete prior to his knee issues but he always on the heavier side, as was Zydrunas and Ming. All 3 of those men mentioned as examples by the initial poster were at least 40-50 pounds heavier than where KP currently is.

I do agree that once you're above 7 feet tall things do get murky as far as long term health. These guys are running on average 3-5 miles per game and that's not including practices and offseason workouts. It puts a heavy level of stress on their weight bearing joints so trying to predict Kristaps' long term health is difficult at this juncture especially with his injury history since his rookie season.

I'm pretty sure he hasn't played 60 games yet for any season in the league (I would have to double check.) I agree it's probably best to leave the MSG-PR stuff out since no one definitively knows what occurred in that fiasco aside from KP and the FO.

Actually KP played 72 games his first year, 66 in the second and played 48 out of 55 up to getting hurt in his third year - so on schedule for around 72 games again.

I agree about the weight/frame question. Maybe Rick Smits or Ralph Sampson would be closer models? But both of them had extensive injury problems. So, yes, one has to be wary.

Players that are over 7'1 seem to have a history of breaking down.

Sent from my SM-N960N using Tapatalk

[blanko]

Those down on Frank Ntilikina please watch this and read my breakdown!

Watch on YouTube

Here is some great footage on how Frank directed three games against the Bulls his rookie season. Sure the Bulls were bad and that's not the point. This is only studying Frank's game. I will break down exactly how Frank affects the outcome of games in a positive way even as early as his rookie season.

Of course we start with Ntilikina's main strength which is his defense. Frank engaged his matchup frequently from full to 3/4 court. He scanned the defense quickly and directed his man to where he had help. He read and reacted to movement very quickly, always contesting on a shot in his area or getting in position to secure the ball. When a rebound was secured he was quickly looking to get the ball and push up court with his head up reading the defense. Ntilikina knew exactly what his options were and where his teammates should have been. He frequently make the right pass or took what the defense gave him. He did not force very often and waited for his next option to get to their desired position. In the half court, he has good ball control and used hesitations to get into triple threat position which usually came off of a pick. The ball did not stick in his hands for too long. If his option was not there he swung the ball to the next man up to make a play. We end with his shooting. The shots Frank was taking were mostly low contested. He missed too many wide open shots which has been his biggest weakness through his second season. He did however makes some shots or finished at the basket throughout the game in timely moments.

Frank played with alot of poise for a kid who was just 19 in a whole new world to him. Let's also take note on who was mostly on the court with him in those games as well. Not exactly a group of shot creators or high end finishers. He is just now growing into his body and getting comfortable being an NBA player at only 21 years of age. Lets not forget he just so happens to now be near 6'7 with a 7'1-2" wingspan and what I'm guessing based on appearance about 210-15 pounds. The same height and weight of RJ Barrett with even longer reach. He has deliberately been showing us that he has been working hard on his main weakness this off season with all of these workout videos.

Lets just say Frank is only making 3 or 4 more of these shots a game and is now scoring 12-16 ppg. Now add in the rest of his talents and this team is that much better with him on the floor leading the offense.

You are right alot od us believe in Frank.

He just needs to take and hit shots. End of conversation.

Sent from my SM-N960N using Tapatalk

[Polk377]

Those down on Frank Ntilikina please watch this and read my breakdown!

Watch on YouTube

Here is some great footage on how Frank directed three games against the Bulls his rookie season. Sure the Bulls were bad and that's not the point. This is only studying Frank's game. I will break down exactly how Frank affects the outcome of games in a positive way even as early as his rookie season.

Of course we start with Ntilikina's main strength which is his defense. Frank engaged his matchup frequently from full to 3/4 court. He scanned the defense quickly and directed his man to where he had help. He read and reacted to movement very quickly, always contesting on a shot in his area or getting in position to secure the ball. When a rebound was secured he was quickly looking to get the ball and push up court with his head up reading the defense. Ntilikina knew exactly what his options were and where his teammates should have been. He frequently make the right pass or took what the defense gave him. He did not force very often and waited for his next option to get to their desired position. In the half court, he has good ball control and used hesitations to get into triple threat position which usually came off of a pick. The ball did not stick in his hands for too long. If his option was not there he swung the ball to the next man up to make a play. We end with his shooting. The shots Frank was taking were mostly low contested. He missed too many wide open shots which has been his biggest weakness through his second season. He did however makes some shots or finished at the basket throughout the game in timely moments.

Frank played with alot of poise for a kid who was just 19 in a whole new world to him. Let's also take note on who was mostly on the court with him in those games as well. Not exactly a group of shot creators or high end finishers. He is just now growing into his body and getting comfortable being an NBA player at only 21 years of age. Lets not forget he just so happens to now be near 6'7 with a 7'1-2" wingspan and what I'm guessing based on appearance about 210-15 pounds. The same height and weight of RJ Barrett with even longer reach. He has deliberately been showing us that he has been working hard on his main weakness this off season with all of these workout videos.

Lets just say Frank is only making 3 or 4 more of these shots a game and is now scoring 12-16 ppg. Now add in the rest of his talents and this team is that much better with him on the floor leading the offense.

The problem with frank is this the front office and coaching staff don't believe him or don't have confidence in frank. Also the problem with frank he is not aggressive on the offensive side of ball if you can't beat out jack,session, mudiay, and burke in your first 2 season in nba you don't deserve a starting job. The competition wasn't that tough for frank in his first 2 season to be starter in nba before dsj arrived and frank blew his chance. Unless frank improves dramatically and shows great progress he won't be part of the rotation there is too many guys ahead of him at the point guard, shooting guard, and small forward position. I expect the knicks to decline frank 4 year option of 6 million dollar this october and i expect frank either gets traded or cut by the trade deadline.

You saw or read nothing I actually posted and just wanted to reply to me why?

[ny-n-md]

Tired of defending Frank

I'll let this guy's videos do it for me LOL

Watch on YouTube

I figured since you put me onto this guy- it was only right I post this- when I ran into it this morning:

Watch on YouTube

In my mind there is absolutely no reason to trade him...Frank is putting in that work...

Underrated post. I like this guy’s arguments for Frank.

[taj2133]

New York Knicks should have already traded Frank Ntilikina
by Khaleel Williams

Frank Ntilikina remains with the New York Knicks, but the two sides should have parted long ago.
New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina‘s defensive instincts and movement are hard to ignore, especially for his age. His abysmal offense is worrisome, however, after the play of his first seasons. One thing is for sure, though: the Knicks should have moved on from him for the benefit of both sides.

The Knicks missed on the opportunity to trade Ntilikina at the February deadline, and then at the NBA Draft. The Frenchman, who missed a chunk of last season due to a groin injury seemingly regressed on offense after an already lackluster rookie year. His defense seemed to have slipped, as well, which was something he could always hang his hat on.

Ntilikina is no longer competing against Trey Burke and Emmanuel Mudiay for minutes, but the likes of Dennis Smith Jr., who has to play because of the Kristaps Porzingis trade, and Elfrid Payton, who is coming off a career-high assists mark for the New Orleans Pelicans.

As we know, Ntilikina is not restrained to one position, but it makes no sense playing him over Dameayn Dotson and Allonzo Trier at the 2. It will be difficult finding him minutes the three positions he can play because of the free agent signings. His place on his team appears to be gone.

The Knicks could target a second-round pick, again, for Ntilikina, as was speculated around the draft, with the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns as potential suitors. A second-round pick from the Suns, especially, could mean a lot to the Knicks.

Ntilikina could fortify Phoenix’s perimeter defense alongside another good young defender in Mikal Bridges. If a trade happened with Orlando, the fit makes less sense, after a playoff run and re-signing Michael Carter-Williams for a backup role, and they have Markelle Fultz waiting to return.


For Ntilikina, he should be frustrated; the Knicks catered to Mudiay, who had one year left on his contract, as opposed to him.

Development is a word that gets thrown around a lot, and it is critical in today’s NBA. The Knicks have done him no favors in that department. A divorce between the two parties will do them both favors.


I believe Ntilikina will be a good NBA player one day. Unfortunately, that one day will not feature him in a New York Knicks jersey.
https://dailyknicks.com/2019/07/19/new-york-knicks-already-traded-frank-ntilikina/