New York Knicks: Frank Ntilikina flashes star potential against Cavaliers

New York Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina has produced pedestrian numbers in 2017-18, but he flashed star potential against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

When Kristaps Porzingis suffered a torn ACL in early February, New York Knicks fans were left in a heartbroken state of confusion. The franchise player was ruled out for the season and even the most avid of supporters weren’t quite sure of where to look for a silver lining.

While he certainly hasn’t played at a Porzingis-like level, rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina is beginning to prove that the Knicks’ future is deeper than one player.

Ntilikina has struggled on the offensive end of the floor in 2017-18, converting at a clip of just 36.2 percent from the field. What those who have tuned in to the games have seen, however, is a player who’s constantly learning from his mistakes.

Regarded by those within the organization as a workhorse whose development into a high-quality player is a given, Ntilikina has the mental fortitude of a Phil Jackson draft pick.

It may not be comfortable to read Jackson’s name, but the mental aspect of the game is something that he and Clarence Gaines Jr. valued. It wasn’t just about the physical capabilities, but the ability to think the game through and the deep-seated hunger for greatness.

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Ntilikina proved just how far he’s already come since the beginning of the 2017-18 season.

Ntilikina was spectacular, pouring in a career-high 17 points to go with six rebounds, five assists, one block, and a steal. He shot 8-of-16 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc in a career-high 40 minutes played—another sign of progress

Ntilikina also recorded a +/- of +3 in a 14-point loss, meaning the Knicks were outscored by 17 points during the mere eight minutes that he wasn’t on the floor.

While the production was undoubtedly impressive, it was the story of the game that should captivate Knicks fans. LeBron James went at Ntilikina both on and off the court earlier this season, and the rookie responded by saving his best performance of 2017-18 for the rematch.

Regardless of what happens during the season finale, this was a testament to the mental fortitude that should define Ntilikina’s future.

It’s also a sign of what’s driving his development as a player: An incessant pursuit of improvement.

Ntilikina has now converted at least one three-point field goal in each of the past three games. What may be even more significant is that he’s attempted 10 shots from distance during that time, which is a telling sign of his willingness to take the shot that once eluded him.

It will take time before Ntilikina converts the three-ball with consistency, but it’s worth noting that he’s shooting at a clip of 34.3 percent from distance over the past 11 games.

That isn’t exactly an elite number, but it’s a sign of progress—the context and story of his rookie season. Throughout 2017-18, Ntilikina has displayed a sponge-like ability to absorb new information as it comes to him.

In this instance, Ntilikina has evolved from a sub-30 percent three-point shooter into an at least acknowledgable threat over the course of his rookie season alone.

Beyond the shooting is the most important development of all: A willingness to drive the lane. Standing at 6’5″ with a 7’0″ wingspan, Ntilikina has the long stride, large frame, and massive arms to get into the paint and finish with authority.

Ntilikina has also flashed the skill level to score via floaters, the versatility to finish with both hands, and the speed to turn the corner—a previous question mark.

Ntilikina’s first step is quicker than when he debuted in the NBA, which is a fact that boils down to two critical points. The first is that he’s playing with less hesitation, which inevitably results in immediate responses that force a defender to react instead of allowing them to anticipate.

The other is that Ntilikina’s first career year of strength and conditioning training is paying early dividends and creating new levels of physical versatility.

On the other end of the floor, Ntilikina continues to defend at a level that few point guards in the NBA are capable of reaching. The obvious appeal is that he’s keeping opponents in front of him on the drive and utilizing his length and closing speed to contest shots.

The truly astonishing fact, however, is that he’s defending power forwards in the post, playing the passing lanes at perfect angles, and flashing Draymond Green level versatility.

There’s still work to be done, but there’s a fundamental prowess on display that few can rival. Ntilikina isn’t just playing the passing lanes to get steals, but inserting himself in them to prevent what should be easy passes for a ball-handler at almost every angle.

That enables his teammates to better defend their assignments, as the opposition’s options are limited and the task of trapping the ball becomes significantly easier to manage.

Clearly, comparing Ntilikina to Green at this stage of his development is a significant reach. The fact that he’s even somewhat comparable is astonishing, however, as Green is a power forward and Ntilikina is a point guard.

The fact that The French Prince is 6’5″ with a 7’0″ wingspan has been stated ad nauseam, but I’m not entirely sure it’s been appreciated for what it truly means.

Ntilikina has more than adequate height to defend players at both backcourt positions, which permits significant flexibility for a head coach’s scheme. He also has elite length for a small forward and a prototypical wingspan for a 4—and there isn’t an ounce of hyperbole in that statement.

As Ntilikina continues to add muscle to his frame and strength to his lower body, he’s learning to take bigger players in his chest and developing a new level of agility.

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Rather than pouting about what Frank Ntilikina hasn’t yet achieved at 19 years old, it’s half past time that New York Knicks marvel over what he can do.

The reality is: Few compare.