New York Knicks: 5 realistic goals for Frank Ntilikina in 2017-18

4. Develop The Pick And Roll

The New York Knicks have two potentially elite pick and roll options in Willy Hernangomez and Kristaps Porzingis. Hernangomez sets hard screens and has soft hands in the paint, and Porzingis adds the dynamic element of being able to fade out to the perimeter.

Frank Ntilikina already has extensive experience running the pick and roll, which makes the development of that very play an essential goal.

The unfortunate truth about the triangle offense is that it essentially ignored the value of the pick and roll. That isn’t a full condemnation of the system, but it’s a troubling fact that New York rarely utilized one of the most effective plays in the modern NBA.

Phil Jackson was right to believe that teams shouldn’t depend too heavily on the pick and roll, but with the triangle offense out, Jeff Hornacek will be able to put it to better use.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Ntilikina believes that he and Porzingis will be able to catch teams off-guard with the unique manner in which they run the play.

"Pick-and-roll … we’re both from Europe. We have a different way to play the pick-and-roll, the action not every American player has."

Hornacek knows as much about how to put the pick and roll to efficient use as any coach in the NBA, and Ntilikina and Porzingis are perfect weapons.

Ntilikina has an invaluable advantage with the vantage point of a 6’5″ facilitator. If he can get his three-point and midrange jump shots to the point of respectability as a rookie, guards will be forced to climb over screens to defend the play.

If that proves to be the case, then that alone should help the Knicks run a more efficient and reliable offense in 2017-18.