New York Knicks: Players for Frank Ntilikina to study in isolation

Jrue Holiday

For four seasons, the New York Knicks were forced to watch Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday develop into an All-Star in their very division. It wasn’t exactly the most pleasant process for a franchise that’s long been in pursuit of a guard of a similar caliber.

Now a franchise cornerstone for the New Orleans Pelicans, Holiday has sudden value to the Knicks as a player for Frank Ntlikina to study.

Holiday, like Ntilikina, is a 6’4″ combo guard whose primary specialty is locking in on defense and matching up against players at multiple positions. That provides a fair foundation to build upon, but the key for Ntilikina is to learn what makes Holiday work on offense.

A more than capable facilitator, Holiday has been able to sacrifice his ego to play both with and without the ball en route to multiple postseason appearances.

Holiday is a career 35.5 percent three-point shooter who can spot up and convert from distance. He also boasts a career average of 6.4 assists to just 2.7 turnovers per game, which displays both a willingness to pass and a tremendous level of responsibility with the ball.

Ntilikina may never be Chris Paul, but as far as the bare bones of contributing on offense are concerned, Holiday offers the framework for sustained success.