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New York Knicks: Over/Under on Kevin Knox’s Stat Line

By Alex Rubinfeld

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks looks to drive against Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Knicks 109-92. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks looks to drive against Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Knicks 109-92. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks Kevin Knox (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
New York Knicks Kevin Knox (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Steals Per Game: 1.0

There is a lot to be excited for in Knox’s game. He hasn’t been able to show off any dominance in his defensive game yet, but he has shown flashes of what is to come.

Once Knox can get comfortable with his game and improve physically, he will have the size and length to defend multiple positions at an above average rate. Even in Summer League, Knox was able to show what he could bring to the table by turning defense into offense.

From college to Summer League, Knox was able to increase his steal total from 0.84 steals per game (Kentucky) to 1.0 steals per game (Summer League). Progress is progress, no matter how small.

Prediction: Knox’s ceiling is limitless. Though he was not been known as a defensive asset at Kentucky, it seems that he will become a more sound two-way player in his prime. For his first season, I could see him struggling on defense, but will still be able to average above a steal a game.

Blocks Per Game: 0.5

As for blocks, Knox has been below average in that regard. Both his blocks per game at Kentucky and in the Summer League have been nothing to boast about.

At .27 (Kentucky) and .25 (Summer League) blocks per game, Knox has not been a capable shot-blocker, which is nothing to worry about. If he continues playing at the three, shot-blocking won’t be a necessity for his role. He can and will improve, but blocked shots are not what he needs to worry about and improve upon.

If he can learn to stay in front of his man and keep contesting shots at an efficient rate, Knox will become an exceptional defensive threat. We can leave the blocked shots to Mitchell Robinson, anyway.

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Prediction: Knox will likely stay in the same range as he did in college and Summer League, so don’t expect him to reach above 0.5 blocks per game. It’s just not his game and it is nothing to worry about. As long as he can contest shots and intimidate players with his size and strength, Knox will become a force to reckon with on the defensive end.

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