The Next Official All things Frank Ntilikina Thread

[Garbagelo]

It's official.

Being a contrarian in this place is the way to go.

Stay in the cave long enough and you forget what light looks like.

[GONYK]

Watch on YouTube

Frank's body control was very impressive. He adjusted to contact without avoiding it.

It's amazing what he reveals when he doesn't overthink things.

I'd like to think or hope that playing with RJ and Iggy, guys who look to absorb some contact, and then finish, might teach Frank a thing or two.

In reality, Franks getting moved for a pick that doesn't completely suck, as soon as a team offers it.

I don't have time for your schtick on national Frank Dropkicked Team USA day

You can resume normal activities tomm

[K_ick_God]

Ian Begley report this today
What is Knicks' next move with Frank Ntilikina in wake of strong World Cup for France?
Some Knicks people have always lauded Ntilikina's ability to defend
By Ian Begley | 11:20AM
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Frank Ntilikina
Frank Ntilikina
Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter |

Prior to the NBA Draft this past June, the Knicks talked to several teams about trades involving Frank Ntilikina. One of those teams said New York discussed a deal that would have returned an early second-round pick for the guard, per SNY sources.

Obviously, the Knicks didn't end up with an offer that they liked for Ntilikina. But it seemed then that the organization was set on jettisoning the 21-year-old.

Has that stance changed over the last few months? That's unclear.


But you'd think that Ntilikina's performance in France's win over Team USA on Wednesday is encouraging to the Knicks.

Ntilikina hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 4:33 to play and a deep jumper late in the shot clock with two minutes to play to give France a 6-point lead in their upset of Team USA. He finished with 11 points, three assists and one steal in 25 minutes.

France outscored Team USA by 22 when he was on the floor and Ntilikina's impact in the game's most pivotal stretch was clear. Team USA led by seven when Ntilikina entered the game with eight minutes to play in the fourth. France outscored Team USA by 17 after he checked in.

Ntilikina was yelling with teammates after the final buzzer, soaking in the aftermath of arguably the biggest win in the history of basketball in his country. He was screaming with his teammates and had the game ball in his hands as France huddled to celebrate the victory.

It was the kind of moment that you haven't seen often during Ntilikina's Knicks career.

The 6-7 guard was drafted No. 8 overall by Phil Jackson in 2017, presumably because he was a strong fit for Jackson's triangle offense. Days after making the pick, Jackson was fired by the Knicks. Steve Mills, the GM at the time, said that he fully supported the decision to draft Ntilikina.

But Ntilikina has been in and out of the Knicks rotation in his first three seasons in the NBA. Veteran point guards -- and point guards around the same age as Ntilikina -- have played ahead of him. Some people around Ntilikina -- and one rival GM -- predicted last season that his best basketball would be played somewhere else.

Will that prediction prove true, or will Ntilikina get a chance to play with this year's Knicks team? The club has point guards Dennis Smith Jr., Elfrid Payton and Kadeem Allen on the roster. And, earlier this summer, the plan entering camp was for Payton to be given every chance to win the starting job, per SNY sources. Given that scenario, Ntilikina will need to have a strong training camp -- especially on offense -- to earn a rotation spot.

Some Knicks people have always lauded Ntilikina's ability to defend. He has a 7-foot wingspan, moves well and can guard multiple positions. But those people felt that Ntilikina needed to produce more, and consistently, on offense to get regular playing time.

He also needs to stay healthy. Ntilikina suffered several injuries in his first three seasons that kept him out of the lineup. When he was healthy, Ntilikina wasn't often given the latitude to play through mistakes. But when he did play significant minutes for extended stretches, Ntilikina was inconsistent on offense. He averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 assists in 21 minutes per game last season.

But Ntilikina is only 21 years old and he gives the Knicks a presence on defense -- something that the team has said is a priority. So does it make sense for New York to take a patient approach with Ntilikina at this point in his career? Or should they continue to try to trade him even though the return would -- presumably -- be minimal?

One scout watching Wednesday's game -- and the entire World Cup -- noted that Ntilikina is moving well with the weight he's added. The scout also noted that Ntilikina played with a poise and confidence that the evaluator hadn't seen often in the NBA. If that confidence -- and his production on Wednesday -- translates to training camp, maybe Ntilikina can open some eyes and earn some minutes with New York.
https://www.sny.tv/knicks/news/what-is-knicks-next-move-with-frank-ntilikina-in-wake-of-strong-world-cup-for-france/310658388

I have a crazy idea on the next move with Frank ... play him.

[god shammgod]

thx - let me investigate!

tbh I must be at an extreme end of some spectrum. I know posters' names, but I really doubt I could identify avatars - at least beyond those that people have posted in words about (eg HW re the Kanter avi, buzz re the Frank avi and his current G-leaguer avi). I'd have no idea, without cheating, what your avi is, but 100% recognize your name.

It's weird, for me, as I did have many people insist on another (non-bb) board that I had to have an avi or else "no one" would read my posts.

it saves time. i don't even have to read the name, i can glance at the avatar for a split second and know who it is. but when multiple people have the same one i still do that out of habit and then have to go back and look.

Cancel your plans today and stay right where you are — we are about to add 20 pages to the Frank thread.

today there's at least something to actually talk about. in these other games he barely had a presence and people are arguing about it like something happened. it really never was about frank, i have nothing against him, i hate all of you.

hitting the long 2 off the dribble was nice to see. the most impressive though was drive and finger roll. he looked very confident and with those long ass arms he doesn't even have to be that close to the basket. even if he can keep up this momentum in the next couple games, it's still gonna be difficult to get him minutes. unless fiz does that crazy sh*t he did last year and shuffle the lineups every month. i don't know what they're gonna do. they might hope that this just let's them get the 1st they want.

[GONYK]

it saves time. i don't even have to read the name, i can glance at the avatar for a split second and know who it is. but when multiple people have the same one i still do that out of habit and then have to go back and look.

Cancel your plans today and stay right where you are — we are about to add 20 pages to the Frank thread.

today there's at least something to actually talk about. in these other games he barely had a presence and people are arguing about it like something happened. it really never was about frank, i have nothing against him, i hate all of you.

hitting the long 2 off the dribble was nice to see. the most impressive though was drive and finger roll. he looked very confident and with those long ass arms he doesn't even have to be that close to the basket. even if he can keep up this momentum in the next couple games, it's still gonna be difficult to get him minutes. unless fiz actually coaches

Fixed

[Strick]

Inject this sh*t into my veins!

[B8RcDeMktfxC]

let's imagine the NYK with Frank as PG, the same as France, but with DSJ+RJ in place of Fournier+Batum, and 2 of Mitch/Mook/Randle

[edit] fix-my-post: ... Frank + 3/4 of DSJ, RJ, Mook, Randle + Mitch

[ChaosHamster]

[F N 11]

Walks into thread

[Strick]

Top 5 GIF I've seen on here

[Kampuchea]

How long before we start banning people with that avatar?

[MaseInYourFace]

Frank’s a situational defensive stopper.

That’s tough spot in today’s nba.

[MaseInYourFace]

After a good start, Frank once again hiding, playing soft and looking like he doesn't belong.

France is also trying to play him at the point, which is the same mistake the Knicks made with him. Frank simply doesn't have the skills nor the mindset to be a PG.

Then he is not a basketball player. He can't shoot well enough to be a SG and he isn't big enough to play any other position.

I've made the point that he can neither play on the ball nor off the ball on offense. He's incompetent in both roles.

However, developing his off-ball skills (mainly cutting and spot-up shooting) will require less of him than working on his on-ball skills, where he's too far behind to ever catch up. He doesn't have a good handle, he can't shoot off the dribble, he doesn't have great speed, his first step is slow as molasses, he doesn't have great vision, he can't make quick decisions, he's indecisive, he lacks aggression... That's just too much to work on. I guess here's hope for him as an off-ball player. I personally don't see it for reasons I've already explained ad nauseam, but it's an attainable goal.

Preach!

[HarthorneWingo]

Peak What have you done for me lately

Read on Twitter

“Sometimes he best trades are the ones you don’t make”

[MaseInYourFace]

There’s hope for frank in nba but it’s off the ball.

[Capn'O]

In any event, as many of us have been saying all he needs to do to warrant time is show he's a threat on offense. This is a good start.

[HarthorneWingo]

I’m glad this thread is picking up more steam just to piss off sham. And I plan on keeping my avatar too

i hate you

I’ve just sentenced you to 5 years in Strasberg as Frank’s mom’s butler.

ORDERED AND DECREED

Judge Wingo

[god shammgod]

How long before we start banning people with that avatar?

soon hopefully. and everyone without it too.

[god shammgod]

the celtics slander on twitter right now is delicious

[HarthorneWingo]

In any event, as many of us have been saying all he needs to do to warrant time is show he's a threat on offense. This is a good start.

Sure. WE know that. You know what I’m sayin’?