New York Knicks: Paul George an appropriate ceiling for Kevin Knox
With a comparable body build and similarities to his game, Paul George seems like an apt ceiling for New York Knicks rookie Kevin Knox to climb towards.
When it comes to incoming rookies in any particular draft class, assessing an NBA comparison is simply par for the course. It helps to better understand their strengths and weaknesses while providing both a potential ceiling and floor for their upcoming career, for whoever a team takes, including the New York Knicks.
In evaluating Kevin Knox prior to and during the draft, quite a few different names came up in conversation. Bleacher Report said Kelly Oubre Jr. Both Sports Illustrated and Chauncey Billups threw out Tobias Harris’ name. But there’s another wing who wasn’t mentioned, a guy the young Knox should look too as a measuring stick as he continues to develop.
Like Knox, Paul George didn’t come into the league with much fanfare. Selected 10th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2011 (Just one spot after Knox), PG showed flashes of greatness at times, but on a veteran-laden roster, those moments were few and far between.
It wasn’t until year three where franchise star Danny Granger would play just five total games, opening up the door for George to assume more responsibilities on the offensive end. By the time Indiana had been eliminated by the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Conference Finals, it was clear that George had next.
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There are a lot of similarities in how both Knox and George play the game of basketball. Both stand a bouncy 6-foot-9 with wingspans stretching 6-foot-11′. George is obviously more polished offensively, but the two share a smoothness in the way they handle the ball, casually weaving in between and around defenders before going up for a shot.
In running with this comparison, Knox is currently averaging 12.3 points on 35.2 percent outside shooting to go along with 4.2 rebounds in 27.2 minutes per game. George wound up with an eerily similar 12.1 points on 38.5 percent 3-point shooting with 5.6 rebounds in 29.7 minutes a night, only he put up those numbers as a sophomore.
Comparisons aren’t about predicting the future of an incoming prospect. Such a task is wildly unpredictable. They’re about recognizing subtle if not very real connections between two players and simply acknowledging them and nothing more.
Paul George is the best-case scenario for Kevin Knox, not what he already is. As impressive as the Kentucky product has been at times this season for the Knicks, he still has a ways to go on both ends of the court to get to the status the five-time All-Star has worked so hard to reach.
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Every Knicks fan has their own feelings about Knox and how they believe his career is going to play out. He may never live up to George’s greatness. He may be better. No matter what happens in the future it’s hard to deny the resemblance in the way they play and the potential arc their careers may share.