New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina going the extra mile
Although he missed four preseason games, Frank Ntilikina is going the extra mile to learn his teammates’ tendencies. New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is impressed.
Entering the 2017 preseason, there was no player whom New York Knicks fans wanted to see more than Frank Ntilikina. Selected at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ntilikina represents a rare opportunity to achieve stability at point guard.
Unfortunately, Ntilikina missed four of a possible five preseason games—a truth that hasn’t prevented the rookie floor general from going the extra mile to ensure that he and his teammates develop chemistry.
Save the opener, during which he impressed, Ntilikina was nursing a knee injury throughout the preseason. The injury wasn’t severe, but it was troubling enough that the French phenom missed time that could have been spent playing alongside his new teammates.
According to Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Ntilikina went the extra mile to ensure that he and his teammates would overcome his delayed start.
"“I did the maximum to keep my mind in there with the guys,” he said. “Talking to them even if I wasn’t out on the court, building the chemistry. I talk a lot with my teammates on trying to know how they feel on the plays, trying to know what they prefer, how they’re comfortable. So I did the job off the court.”"
That veteran approach to leadership and responsibility is yet another example of why the Knicks were so confident in the selection of Ntilikina at the 2017 NBA Draft.
Beyond his overwhelming physical gifts and elite defensive potential, Ntilikina impressed scouts with his maturity. His vast professional experience provided the opportunity to prove himself as both an individual player and a young leader in a competitive French league.
Those traits have been on full display early in his NBA career, with his extra effort being a breath of fresh air at the point guard position.
If Ntilikina plays as well as he prepares, the decision to draft the European enigma will be justified.
Ntilikina’s success in the NBA will be determined by more than his preparation, but it’s a point of emphasis that’s too often overlooked. Point guards, more than any other position, are tasked with ensuring that everything is going according to plan on the court.
Per Iannazzone, head coach Jeff Hornacek is impressed with Ntilikina’s thoroughness and willingness to embrace a point guard’s responsibility.
"“Part of a point guard’s responsibility is to know your teammates, where they like the ball, how they can get it to you,” Hornacek said. “And then that gives confidence in players to understand, ‘Hey, if I roll hard, or I come off a screen hard, the ball is going to be there. I’m not wondering if it’s going to.’ That’s a great thing that he’s doing.”"
Hornacek’s history is that of a basketball strategist who understands just how important leadership at the point guard position truly is.
As a player, Hornacek played both backcourt positions and helped his teams achieve significant success. He and Kevin Johnson led the Phoenix Suns to the 1989 and 1990 Western Conference Finals, and he, John Stockton, and Karl Malone led the Utah Jazz to the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals.
As a head coach, Hornacek led an unorthodox backcourt of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe to 48 wins in 2013-14. In 2014-15, he had Dragic, Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas, and the Suns on pace to make the playoffs before the front office blew the roster up at the trade deadline.
In order for Hornacek to work that same magic with Ntilikina and the Knicks, The French Prince will need to be committed to the cause.
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Thankfully for Jeff Hornacek and the New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina is already ahead of the curve.