Official Frank Ntilikina Thread

[SmoothLefty21]

Those kind of articles are so stupid. The writer has no idea what offers the Knicks had on the table. So if it was only a late 2nd, the Knicks still should have moved him?

What's the point? Keep the kid if there's virtually no return. He's still young, cheap, and has some potential.

[Fat Kat]

Until Frank shows some gumption, I’m through reading these articles about him. Listened to a podcast basically stating that no one was gonna improve but Frank, and if he didn’t it wasn’t his fault. It’s annoying. Shot doctors marveling at the form of perhaps the worst shooter in the league. Enough already

[HarthorneWingo]

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

Payton and Bullock are the only guards we signed and Bullock will be out for a while. In any event, we need to figure out this year who stays and who goes out of Frank, Dennis, Dotson, Trier, and Knox. And maybe even RJ.

I look at a lot of these signees, other than Randle, as insurance policies this season while we figure out what we have as we try to develop these kids.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

[HarthorneWingo]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

[King of Canada]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

I think that's what they did last year and Mudiay came out on top in practice over Frank regularly.

[HarthorneWingo]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

I think that's what they did last year and Mudiay came out on top in practice over Frank regularly.

After a full summer league and preseason, Frank was given the starting SF position. I don't know that Frank was ever given a fair shot at the PG position. Fizdale seemed to favor Mudiay even before they got to training camp talking about how he "was going to fix" him.

[King of Canada]

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

I think that's what they did last year and Mudiay came out on top in practice over Frank regularly.

After a full summer league and preseason, Frank was given the starting SF position. I don't know that Frank was ever given a fair shot at the PG position. Fizdale seemed to favor Mudiay even before they got to training camp talking about how he "was going to fix" him.

I've always assumed that frank just hasn't won the spot, which is fine for a young guy like him. He just needs to earn minutes, and hasn't really been good enough yet. Should have been the g-league starter last year.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

I think that's what they did last year and Mudiay came out on top in practice over Frank regularly.

That may have happened last year but I think Barrett's development is going to require less ball dominant players in the backcourt with him. We know what type of players work with what Barrett could possibly be, and it's either a scoring combo guard that is really just an undersized 2 or a 3 & D guy that shoots threes off the catch and can run the offense a bit.

I have very little faith that DSjr will be able to play with Barrett, he couldn't play with Luka.

[King of Canada]

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

I think that's what they did last year and Mudiay came out on top in practice over Frank regularly.

That may have happened last year but I think Barrett's development is going to require less ball dominant players in the backcourt with him. We know what type of players work with what Barrett could possibly be, and it's either a scoring combo guard that is really just an undersized 2 or a 3 & D guy that shoots threes off the catch and can run the offense a bit.

I have very little faith that DSjr will be able to play with Barrett, he couldn't play with Luka.

I'd love nothing more than for Frank to make an impact. Really looking forward to FIBA.

[HarthorneWingo]

I think that's what they did last year and Mudiay came out on top in practice over Frank regularly.

After a full summer league and preseason, Frank was given the starting SF position. I don't know that Frank was ever given a fair shot at the PG position. Fizdale seemed to favor Mudiay even before they got to training camp talking about how he "was going to fix" him.

I've always assumed that frank just hasn't won the spot, which is fine for a young guy like him. He just needs to earn minutes, and hasn't really been good enough yet. Should have been the g-league starter last year.

I thought that in Frank's rookie season but Hornacek said you don't do that to a rotational player (at least I think it was Jeff). As for last season, they should've sent Frank down after they removed him from the starting rotation and then benched him. I just think that if Frank can develop his confidence down there, it'll help him get over what I believe is a mental obstacle he needs to overcome. There's nothing wrong with the mechanics in Frank's shot. It's smooth and if there's an issue with his follow-through, it's minor at most. I think Frank has been mishandled here but he's still only 21 and he still has a 7'1" wingspan.

[Jalen Bluntson]

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

Payton and Bullock are the only guards we signed and Bullock will be out for a while. In any event, we need to figure out this year who stays and who goes out of Frank, Dennis, Dotson, Trier, and Knox. And maybe even RJ.

I look at a lot of these signees, other than Randle, as insurance policies this season while we figure out what we have as we try to develop these kids.

I think PG position is the only real battle that involves a vet player. That's Payton....25 years old. Barret/Trier/Dotson are battling each other. Knox will come off the bench behind Morris until the deadline. Iggy will have to outplay Knox for any minutes he gets before then. Randle is the starting PF and Mitch the starting C.

Frank has to really show improvement to get any minutes. So far...career wise...he's 3rd string. I'm a huge supporter of Frank but...he's got to step up big this season. Payton/DSJ are in his way.

[Deeeez Knicks]

I think that's what they did last year and Mudiay came out on top in practice over Frank regularly.

After a full summer league and preseason, Frank was given the starting SF position. I don't know that Frank was ever given a fair shot at the PG position. Fizdale seemed to favor Mudiay even before they got to training camp talking about how he "was going to fix" him.

I've always assumed that frank just hasn't won the spot, which is fine for a young guy like him. He just needs to earn minutes, and hasn't really been good enough yet. Should have been the g-league starter last year.

Yeah, that was weird how they moved Frank to SF and had him defend wings. It seemed to negate his strength as a defender and he seemed even less comfortable.

Fiz seemed to value guards that were aggressive and looking to score a lot more then defense. When Frank struggled he was benched.

But Frank does need to step it up himself. Mostly on him just to outplay others in front of him.

[GONYK]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

Are you suggesting "keep what you kill"?

[seren]

I support Frank. He is still young and his defensive upside is tremendous. His free throw percentage suggests, his shot can be fixed. That said, he needs to show he belongs during the World Cup. If he plays well there, there is no way Fizdale can ignore him. If he is not getting minutes there, Fizdale will have a reason to sit him.

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

Are you suggesting "keep what you kill"?

We have a bunch of new players and maybe some weird combination of guys is freakishly "the answer". But, actually, barring that, we already know what the answer is in terms of which team has the best outcomes for this squad. Because we saw it last year.

And that is

* Play Mitch at the 5 and Frank at the 1.
* Try not to have too many black holes simultaneously at 2-4
* If possible try to have one of 2-4 not a huge negative on defence

The end.

So, probably, Randle (who gets to start under everyone's systems - whether you agree with my reasoning or not - not least because of his 2+1 contract, plus, on the Lakers he was a decent prospect and when freed on the Pels was at least good on O - and not a black hole - (not so much on D - we'll get Mitch to mock him relentlessly for lack of achievement at that end if necessary)), Mook (not a black hole, not terrible D) and one other.

Portis, Ellington, Iggy, Dotson, Trier and (until fit) Bullock don't need to start. (Although they all do need to play.) So let's not start them. Taj is a problem, but has to play back-up big with Portis for now. Leaving dealer's choice of RJ, DSJ and Kevinho. So whichever of them shoots best in preseason/camp - with maybe a lean towards RJ for playmaking. (?????)

[edit] **** me - there are so many players on this team who need substantive minutes. It's impossible for any single post to remember them all. So I've left out Payton and that's a problem. Since he is a career starter. So he goes in the mix with RJ, DSJ and Kevin. And none of them have a reliable shot or play defence.

[HarthorneWingo]

Hopefully we give Frank consistent minutes in a defined role as a Guard, but it seems like a long shot for that to happen.

I don't know why that is so difficult? Why not simply declare "open season" on the starting PG position and let those three compete for who starts, who's backup, and who sits? Let them fight it out. I just don't know if Fizdale is capable of doing that, which is a great shame if he can't because it completely undermines our alleged mission of developing our young players.

Are you suggesting "keep what you kill"?

Spoiler:

Except don't stack the deck this time.

[HarthorneWingo]

I support Frank. He is still young and his defensive upside is tremendous. His free throw percentage suggests, his shot can be fixed. That said, he needs to show he belongs during the World Cup. If he plays well there, there is no way Fizdale can ignore him. If he is not getting minutes there, Fizdale will have a reason to sit him.

I agree. I would only add that if Frank doesn't "kill it" in the WC, for the sake of the organization it would be foolish not to give Frank his full chance during training camp and preseason. I just don't know if our coaches have been working with these kids this offseason and, if so, to what extent.

[Esq-4]

So is Frank a PG?

[HarthorneWingo]

So is Frank a PG?

Counselor, must I hold you in contempt of court?