New York Knicks: Five reasons to love the Kadeem Allen signing

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 7: Kadeem Allen #45 of the Boston Celtics goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Physical Tools

The New York Knicks are beginning to embrace the realities of the modern NBA. That includes a desperate need to become longer and more athletic on the defensive end of the floor, as well as more capable of breaking the opposition down when on offense.

By signing Kadeem Allen, the Knicks have provided head coach David Fizdale with a guard who has the physical gifts to fit the modern mold.

Standing at 6’3″ and 200 pounds, Allen certainly hits the physical marks of the prototypical point guard. What enables him to defend both backcourt positions, however, is the combination of his strong frame and a 6’9″ wingspan.

Allen’s length is disruptive on the defensive end of the floor, and an asset when attempting to create or shoot on offense against bigger defenders.

Head coach David Fizdale has made it abundantly clear that he’d like to eliminate labels from his players. In other words: His system will be free-flowing in the sense that roles will be assigned based on ability, and not traditional expectations.

With the size, length, and athleticism to play multiple traditional positions, hwoever, it stands to reason that Allen would be an ideal fit for Fizdale’s positionless philosophy.