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New York Knicks: 5 reasons Frank Ntilikina can win Rookie of the Year

By Maxwell Ogden

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, 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. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, 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. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /
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TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image was shot as a double exposure.) Frank Ntilikina of the New York Knicks poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. (Photo by Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /

New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina is expected to face a steep learning curve. Here are five reasons he could exceed expectations and win Rookie of the Year.

The working theory around the basketball world is that New York Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina will have a difficult time adjusting to the NBA. That isn’t to say that he’ll be a bust, but instead a hypothesis that’s based on the difficult transition from Europe to the Association.

For as fair and plausible as those concerns may be, one can’t help but wonder: What if Ntilikina exceeds all expectations during his rookie season?

It’s admittedly ambitious to set Rookie of the Year as the goal, but Ntilikina has more working in his favor than many give him credit for. He was a top-10 draft pick for a reason, and it wasn’t solely long-term projections that created his appeal.

Much as Kristaps Porzingis shocked the masses during his rookie season, Ntilikina could do something similar in 2017-18.

Others may be heavily favored in the race for Rookie of the Year, but there are reasons to believe Ntilikina can turn in a stellar first-year showing. Whether or not that nets him the award, it could put him in a close enough vicinity of the hardware to warrant a concession of respect.

The question is: What are the reasons New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina could silence his critics and compete for Rookie of the Year in 2017-18?

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