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New York Knicks: Handing out awards at the midway point of 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 5: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball against the New York Knicks on January 5, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 5: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball against the New York Knicks on January 5, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Rookie of the Year: Frank Ntilikina

Damyean Dotson has played well in small spurts, but the obvious answer here is Frank Ntilikina. The New York Knicks selected Ntilikina at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, and while the jury is still out on all 60 players who were drafted, the pick fits the vision.

Between his All-Defensive First Team potential and his improving offensive contributions, Ntilikina is the clear choice for the team’s Rookie of the Year.

Ntilikina is currently averaging 5.7 points, 3.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 21.3 minutes per game. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they translate to 9.6 points, 5.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per 36 minutes.

Ntilikina is also converting 1.0 three-point field goal per 36 minutes, and has made 15 three-point field goals over the past 20 games after hitting just eight during his first 18 appearances.

Beyond the numbers, Ntilikina has endeared himself to Knicks fans with his relentless approach to on-ball defense. He’s also proven to be fearless in the clutch as a shooter, which is an intriguing character trait for a player of any age.

Ntilikina still has work to do, but he’s made significant progress towards becoming the two-way player that he was drafted to be.

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