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New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 7?

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Lance Thomas #42 (L), Tim Hardaway Jr. #3, Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks and Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets react after the Knicks gain control of the game late in the fourth quarter during their game at Madison Square Garden on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Lance Thomas #42 (L), Tim Hardaway Jr. #3, Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks and Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets react after the Knicks gain control of the game late in the fourth quarter during their game at Madison Square Garden on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 7: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 7, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 7: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks handles the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 7, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Frank Ntilikina

Once again, Frank Ntilikina has made a positive impact on the outcome of a game. Once again, he did so with his crisp facilitating touch and imposing defense, thus continuing to resemble the New York Knicks point guards of the 1990s.

Ntilikina is still adjusting to the pace of the NBA as a scorer, but few rookies have been better as far as facilitating and defending are concerned.

Ntilikina finished with three points on 1-of-5 shooting, but like Courtney Lee, he stepped up as a facilitator. He dished out eight assists in just 26 minutes of court time, adding three rebounds during a performance that resembled the recent norm.

Ntilikina has recorded at least seven assists in three of the past four games, dishing out eight against both the Charlotte Hornets and the Houston Rockets.

This wasn’t Ntilikina’s best game on defense, but he stepped up late to provide crucial contributions. He pressured ball-handlers with his overwhelming frame, and forced key misses and turnovers with his intensity.

Every game is another step towards consistency in the NBA, and this was yet another example of Ntilikina being able to influence a game when his shot isn’t falling—a skill unto itself.

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