Juco24 wrote:What I like most is the fact that Frank is now CONFIDENT. The work he's put in is bringing back return. And the belief that he's capable of playing at a high level.
I agree to some extent but look at the factors which created it
- support- Frank was amongst guys who've watched, played with and helped in his development. Guys like Batum, Fournier and his coaching staff who all believe in him since they've known him since he was a teenager. That counts. I dont even believe that his Knicks teammates know what hes gonna do, where he likes the ball. And that's not to bash them. Most of them are simply trying to keep what they kill
- a tried system. Let's face it, nobody can definitively say WTH we were doing last year. We all hated the triangle but at least you could say, this is a playbook that I know but hate. I actually think Frank knew his role under Hornicek more than Fizz who simply threw anybody out there and told them "just be aggresive". I've said it before, by those standards JR Smith could walk onto the Knicks and be the best player on the team. It doesnt say much and could even as we speak have us overvaluing aggresive iso artists over system players
- Faith. The ability to watch a player **** the bed for the 1st 5 possessions and then allow him to recover. Even in this FIBA tournament there were stretches where Frank didnt play well but guess what? They had no choice and few of those games Frank recovered and even had a positive night. Some of the very nights we're praising Frank for. But that wont happen on the Knicks. Hes already on a short leash.
So my point is Frank could actually have gotten better and it still dont matter. Maybe too little too late and opinions already formed. But I gave those examples also knowing that some of that is on Frank. When you arent confident or aggressive you dont earn faith. Regardless of how good you feel Allanzo Trier is, we probably can all agree that we sorta know what his MO is. Hes gonna attack that basket with reckless abandon. Maybe that helps your system, maybe it dont but you can plug and play him based on what you know. Frank hasnt given anybody that level of certainty. The guy literally thinks it's acceptable to finish games taking 5 shots. And that's the other thing I've harped on. You simply cannot do anything in the league on 5 shots. 2 of 5 and you are a lousy shooter, 3 of 5 and you're a great shooter. On a night to night basis one should take enough shots that a one shot difference shouldnt drastically change how I feel about your night. Frank's gotta take shots, period. No less than 8. And that's sorta where he was at in FIBA. What scares me though is that's how much he took as the starter with the ball in his hands.
So we'll see. I'm rooting for Frank but I've always felt I've been honest about what his flaws are and what he needs to do and when he needed to do it. Had he been aggresive his first 2 yrs what's funny is he probably couldve built a reputation as a good player and then even if he sortve fell back into a supportive role people mightve felt like " well we know he can score but hes putting his own scoring aside from the team". Now they just think he sucks.
