New York Knicks: 5 goals for Frank Ntilikina's rookie season

New York Knicks: 5 goals for Frank Ntilikina’s rookie season

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks talks to the media after being selected eighth overall at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Frank Ntilikina 22; Vukota Pavic 14; Marko Mijovic 10 in action during SIG Strasbourg v KK Mornar Regular Season – Group D of Basketball Champions League in Strasbourg, France, on 29 November 2016. (Photo by Elyxandro Cegarra/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

5. Adjusting To The Pace Of The NBA

One of the biggest differences between playing in the NBA and playing basketball overseas is the pace the game is played at. NBA offenses now play a faster game with a lot more possessions compared to offenses in Europe, where the game is slower.

New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek will also have full control over the team’s offense this year, which means we will see the Knicks play a faster paced offense. When Jeff Hornacek was the head coach at Phoenix, the team ranked in the top 10 in pace in each of his three seasons at the helm.

Frank Ntilikina should notice a huge difference in pace between Europe and the NBA, but it will take the rookie some time to fully adjust to playing more possessions at a faster rate.

Once Ntilikina plays more games in the NBA, he should be able to get used to how fast the NBA is. It’s a process many foreign players struggle with in their first year, but as time progresses, many have become comfortable with the style of play in the NBA.

Ntilikina could experience similar success to what players such as Tony Parker were able to.

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