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New York Knicks: Five reasons to love the Jamel Artis signing

By Maxwell Ogden

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 18: Pittsburgh Panthers forward Jamel Artis (1) brings the ball up court during a basketball game between Pittsburgh Panthers and Florida State Seminoles on February 18, 2017 at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The Panthers went on to win the game 80-66. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 18: Pittsburgh Panthers forward Jamel Artis (1) brings the ball up court during a basketball game between Pittsburgh Panthers and Florida State Seminoles on February 18, 2017 at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The Panthers went on to win the game 80-66. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 17: Pittsburgh Panthers forward Jamel Artis (1) shoots under the outstretched arm of North Carolina State Wolfpack center Omer Yurtseven (14) during a game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack on January 17, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 17: Pittsburgh Panthers forward Jamel Artis (1) shoots under the outstretched arm of North Carolina State Wolfpack center Omer Yurtseven (14) during a game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack on January 17, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Scoring Versatility

The New York Knicks aren’t going to give Jamel Artis the keys to the kingdom any time soon. Even knowing that to be true, it’s fair to believe that an opening exists for a bench player who can create offense in isolation.

Having acknowledged the lethality of his 3-point shot, it must also be noted that Artis is capable of getting his own shot off in isolation.

Artis is a lethal 3-point shooter and a crafty playmaker, but his bread and butter is his physicality. He can put his shoulder into defenders and work his way to the basket, where he’s proven to be effective—in traffic or otherwise.

Artis shot 53.7 percent on 2-point field goals in 2015-16 and 54.5 percent in 2016-17, and averaged 5.2 free throw attempts per 40 minutes for his career.

With the skill level to drive the lane, draw contact, and consistently convert from beyond the arc, Artis is the complete package. That enabled him to average 18.2 points per 40 minutes for his college career, and 18.2 points per game as a senior.

No task is more difficult than finding scorers who can consistently create their own offense, and Artis has the tools to develop into a legitimate sixth man.

Must Read: Five reasons to love the Nigel Hayes signing

The New York Knicks have one two-way contract remaining, and Jamel Artis is as safe a bet as any to potentially secure it.