The New York Knicks have a number of intriguing athletes on the current roster. Who could thrive in a different sport than basketball?
New York City Football Club played a match against Atlanta United yesterday, and the club welcomed New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina to pitch side seats.
I was at the game and I saw Ntilikina rocking the powder blue NYCFC jersey, and I began to wonder: “What Knicks players would be good athletes in other sports?”
This could be based on background, height, weight, or totally based off how I view them. Let’s get started with the most obvious of players.
Kristaps Porzingis: Volleyball
Kristaps Porzingis would be an excellent volleyball player. He constantly spikes basketball’s from opposing point guards and has a special combination of size and leaping ability.
His wingspan is astounding. He seems to come out of nowhere to make weak side blocks. He would be able to cover the net area in a volleyball match. Knocking dinky put backs, and slamming seemingly out of reach spikes, Porzingis would shine for team Latvia
Joakim Noah: Tennis
Joakim Noah’s father, Yannick Noah, was a tennis player who won the 1983 French Open. His mom also used to be a model. Insane what two people can create.
Noah is a specimen.
Noah is defintely a beast. He’s gone way off the deep end this summer, but a lot of tennis players have an uncommon approach to sports—see: Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, and Novak Djokovic.
Noah also a very hard worker. He would never give up on a point. Noah’s long reach, natural strength, and creative mind (see new hair/beard color), makes me believe he has what it takes to dominate the professional tennis circuit. Anything to get that contract off the team.
Ron Baker: Surfing/Lacrosse
This is the most obvious one on the list. Ron Baker would win best hair in any boarding school lettuce contest. In a sport like surfing or lacrosse, where hair is half the battle, Baker would fit right in.
Baker’s hair is very nicely sculpted, but also has that feel that he just woke up with it looking so glorious. Whether Baker is dancing and diving through the lane, or getting dunked on by Anthony Davis, his doo is always looking good.
Kyle O’Quinn: Football
As you may know from Mike Breen talking about it all the time, Kyle O’Quinn didn’t play a lot of basketball before joining Norfolk State. However, he was the anchor behind the Spartans team that defeated No. 2 ranked Missouri during their only appearance in the NCAA tournament.
O’Quinn initially focused his attention to football, not basketball. After not receiving a scholarship offer to play pigskin, he decided to lace his basketball sneakers.
Once he’s done with the shooty hoops, he will join the bar and bat mitzvah ranks as an emcee.
Luke Kornet: Golf
Luke Kornet is supposedly a very good golfer. In an interview with Jonah Ballow of NBA.com, he brought up how in his free time, he casually hits golf balls 300 feet.
Kornet also seems like a very level-headed guy. He’s from Lexington, Kentucky, and he went to an amazing academic school in Vanderbilt. Those two facts don’t correlate besides the fact that there are amazing golf courses in both areas.
Another comment I picked up on, that you don’t hear all the time, is how he focused hard on school. That shows his discipline physically and mentally, which is a prerequisite for golf.
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Who did we leave out as New York Knicks players who could’ve made it work in another sport? Hit the comments section and let us know!