Daily Knicks
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Christmas gifts the New York Knicks have given fans in 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 09: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks warms up before the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 9, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 3: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during game against the Orlando Magic on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 3: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during game against the Orlando Magic on December 3, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Frank Ntilikina

When the New York Knicks drafted Frank Ntilikina at No. 8 overall, criticism surfaced from every angle of the NBA community. From LeBron James to disgruntled Knicks fans, the selection of Ntilikina was received in a predominantly negative manner.

There’s no telling if Ntilikina will become a better player than the likes of Malik Monk or Dennis Smith Jr., but he’s already beginning to justify the selection.

Ntilikina has been a force on defense and an improving contributor on offense. He ranks in the top 10 in the NBA in steals per 36 minutes, and recently received praise from Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving for his play on the defensive end of the floor.

Offensively, Ntilikina is expanding his range to beyond the three-point—a process that’s enabling him to display the elusive clutch gene that executives so feverishly search for.

Over the course of the past eight games, Ntilikina is averaging 4.3 points per fourth quarter on a slash line of .500/.714/.833. That displays just how confident he’s become in his abilities, as his poise under pressure has helped New York temporarily overcome Tim Hardaway Jr.’s absence.

Ntilikina may not make as many SportsCenter appearances as Monk or Smith, but the Knicks found a legitimate two-way player in Ntilikina.

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