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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: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks behind the scenes during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. (Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY – AUGUST 11: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks behind the scenes during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. (Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention: The Internal Competition At Point Guard

One of the most risky decisions an organization can make is to gift a rookie a starting job. Some players may be clear favorites from day one, but challenging said players as early as training camp can be an excellent way to prepare them for the NBA.

The New York Knicks have embraced that exact approach with Frank Ntilikina by surrounding him with competition for the starting role.

Ntilikina should be able to outplay the other point guards on the roster, but the mere challenge of securing the starting role should be constructive. Having to work to find playing time will instill good values in a player who’s already looking the part of a self-motivated worker.

Winning the starting point guard job would be the first achievement of a challenging season, which could thus result in the belief that he can handle what’s in front of him.

In a Rookie of the Year race that will likely be dominated by point guards, that confidence-building feat would be massive. Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, and Dennis Smith Jr. are expected to start and stay hot, but one could argue that their starting jobs were secured well before training camp.

Ntilikina will have to overcome an early hurdle in order to have a shot at entering the race, but that could end up working in his favor.

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