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New York Knicks: Kevin Knox having rough start to rookie season

ByDaniel Lubofsky|
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Orlando Magic on November 11, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 11: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Orlando Magic on November 11, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The hype was there prior to the year, but circumstances have kept Kevin Knox from thriving early on in his rookie season with the New York Knicks.

The introduction to Kevin Knox in the NBA has been regurgitated quite a few times already. Drafted ninth overall by the New York Knicks last June, he showed out in Summer League and came into this season as a possible dark horse for the Rookie of the Year award.

It’s still early, but the hype train has slowed down tremendously for the Kentucky product. Some of that is due to his play on the court. Others have been factors he doesn’t really have any control over.

In just the third game of the season, Knox injured his left ankle against the Boston Celtics and was forced to miss seven games. Rookies can learn a fair amount by just observing the action from the sidelines, but nothing will ever beat actual playing time, which he lost out on before even getting a chance to earn some more.

Then, Knox had to rediscover what little rhythm he established prior to his injury, which couldn’t have been easy for a guy who played about 55 minutes before going down.

Then there’s his role on the team, as undefined as ever while head coach David Fizdale attempts to learn more about his players and how they perform next to each other.

The logic behind Fizdale’s decision is sound, but that doesn’t mean it comes without a set of growing pains, specifically for a certain 19-year-old.

Knox went from coming off the bench to starting then back to the bench role all in the span of the 12 games he’s played in. The minutes have stayed consistent for the most part aside from the games sandwiched between his absence, but athletes are creatures of habit. It can’t be easy for what should be a college sophomore to have to change his approach towards a given game seemingly every week.

Finally, it doesn’t appear Knox is being given an ample amount of chances to grow and develop as a player. What made him so terrific in Summer League was his ability to create off the dribble and attack the basket. So far this year, he’s been mostly relegated to spot-up duties, of which he’s actually converting at a 35.7 percent clip.

He currently has the fifth highest usage rate on the Knicks, a high ranking for any rookie on any squad. Coming into this season, though, it was thought that with Kristaps Porzingis still on the mend, Knox could take on more offensive responsibilities as a way to accelerate his development.

Knox has been aware of his struggles, stating as much to Stefan Bondy of the Daily News, but that obviously doesn’t make them magically disappear.

His effort has reportedly been an area of concern. Fixing this could be the key to unlocking everything, forcing Fizdale to give him more minutes — and likely a starting spot — that will surely help in the growth of one of New York’s prized assets for the future and make this slow start a distant memory.

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