NY Knicks: 3 ways Frank Ntilikina can become NY’s version of Marcus Smart

Frank Ntilikina needs to have a win-at-any-cost mindset for the NY Knicks.

Marcus Smart is recognized as the heart and soul of the Celtics.

Similar to players like Smart, Draymond Green, Patrick Beverley, so on and so forth…Frank can be the guy on the team that doesn’t necessarily “wow” you when looking at his stat line at the end of the game but you know if you watched the game itself, he was all over the place doing things that impact the game that doesn’t show up on the box score.

Shutting down or slowing down the other team’s best player can result in basically no stats whatsoever but it’s invaluable to a team especially come playoff time.

Knowing you have a guy that can cause fits for the scariest offensive player on the opposing team is just something not a lot of teams in the NBA possess.

I think of guys like Tony Allen or DeShawn Stevenson when I see Frank play.

Guys that didn’t have to score much at all to be considered an impactful player.

Frank unfortunately is not the loud, boisterous, leader type so he has to start letting his energy and effort do that talking for him.

A big defensive stop here, a steal there, a block every now and again in clutch moments…this is what separates the good from the greats.

I’ve watched Frank shut down guys like Luka Doncic and Trae Young on a few occasions.

I feel like the kid just doesn’t play to his own strengths enough even when presented with the opportunities to do so.

I believe this can change soon under the new coaching staff.