New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina received advice from Michael Jordan
New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina received advice from one of the most unlikely and respected sources: Michael Jordan.
With the 2017-18 NBA regular season approaching, New York Knicks fans are beginning to familiarize themselves with incoming rookie Frank Ntilikina. Over the course of the past week, the French phenom has met with the media and taken the practice court with his new teammates.
For as exciting as those occurrences may have been, Ntilikina’s chilling article on The Players Tribune rests in a different tier of intrigue.
Ntilikina has traveled a remarkable path to his current status as an NBA player. Born to Rwandan parents in Belgium, Ntilikina has since committed his life to basketball and competed professionally since signing with Strasbourg’s youth academy at age 15.
In a powerful article posted to The Players Tribune, Ntilikina revealed that he asked Michael Jordan to reveal the key to his success.
Jordan’s response was as follows:
"“What you have to do is love basketball. You can’t be great unless you really love the game. Once you love basketball more than anyone else in the world, then you’re willing to sacrifice. You’re willing to wake up early. You’re willing to do what it takes to be the best. But first, you have to really love it.”"
For as powerful as that quote is—and we’ll dive into it—I implore you to read the entire article—an article that goes deeper than basketball and reveals Ntilikina’s true character.
Throughout the entirety of Ntilikina’s article, he drove home the points that his passion for basketball is eternal and his work ethic is born from a truly incomparable place. He learned the principle of hard work from his family members—family members who survived the Rwandan genocide.
Between his brother Yves studying to become a surgeon, his brother Brice studying to become a physical therapist, and his mother working to help her children realize their dreams, a lesson was learned.
Coupled with Jordan’s revelation of the key to his success, Ntilikina has found that passion and hard work simply cannot be compromised.
Jordan needs no introduction; being a six-time NBA champion, six-time Finals MVP, and five-time NBA MVP will do that. While the key to his success has long been perceived as his legendary work ethic, many have questioned where he found the will to succeed.
As Ntilikina learned and embodies, being more in love with the sport of basketball than any other person or aspect of life is what enabled Jordan to be great.
Must Read: Ramon Sessions compares Frank Ntilikina to Kyrie Irving
There’s no rational way to compare Frank Ntilikina to Michael Jordan, but the New York Knicks have found a player with a passion and motivation that few can truly rival.