New York Knicks: Kevin Knox aiming for Rookie of the Year
New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox wants to win Rookie of the Year in 2017-18. Knox is going to great lengths to remain committed to achieving that goal.
When the New York Knicks selected Kevin Knox at No. 9 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, most viewed the pick as a project. Knox is one of the youngest players in his class, as well as a player with a well-rounded, but unrefined skill set.
Fair an expectation as that may be, Knox is planning to put the NBA on notice by making an immediate impact on the Knicks.
Knox, 18, is coming off of a freshman season during which he showed flashes of both greatness and passiveness. He’ll now be tasked with making the transition to the NBA with a team that could be without its franchise player for the entire 2018-19 campaign.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Knox has made it perfectly clear what he’ll be working for in 2017-18: The Rookie of the Year award.
"“Rookie of the Year. That’s gonna be on my wall in my room. That’s what I want, that’s what I’m gonna work for. I don’t got it like painted on my wall, it’s just a piece of paper with Rookie of the Year on it, every time I wake up, look at it, just know what I’m going to work for.”"
If Knox has his own version of a dream board, and it includes Rookie of the Year, it’s safe to say he’ll lay it all on the line as a rookie.
Knox is a 6’9″ hybrid forward with a near 7’0″ wingspan and a 9’0″ standing reach, which should allow him to defend at a respectable level as a rookie. He’s also a versatile scoring threat with a solid handle, range on his jump shot, and dynamic finishing ability.
With the versatility to score at all three levels and defend multiple positions, it stands to reason that Knox could indeed factor into the Rookie of the Year voting.
There are still issues that Knox will need to sort out as far as consistently producing at a high level is concerned, but the foundation is in place for early success.
Whether or not Porzingis is active, Knox will be surrounded by players who can simplify the game for him. Along the perimeter, Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Frank Ntilikina can create offense for him, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is an aggressive scorer who will draw defenders.
Only time will tell what the future holds down low, but if Knox earns the starting job in training camp, he should be trusted with his fair share of touches and solid complementary pieces.
Must Read: Five reasons to love the Kevin Knox pick
Whether or not he wins the Rookie of the Year award, New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox is already displaying his ambition.