New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale has some lofty expectations on 19-year-old rookie Kevin Knox.
After Kevin Knox scored 24 points in a losing effort for the Knicks against the Atlanta Hawks, David Fizdale shared that he believes the teenage sensation will develop into one of the best scorers in the league.
However, the 44-year-old coach acknowledged that Knox needs to put a lot of work, particularly on his strength and conditioning to reach his full potential.
“I expect him to be a big-time scorer,” Fizdale told Marc Berman of New York Post. “[But it’s] a real conditioning requirement to be a great scorer in this league. He has to learn as he gets stronger and in more physical shape to adapt to scouting reports and adjustments during the game.”
Knox, the ninth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, is currently averaging 11.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Knicks. He is also shooting 38.0 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from 3-point range and 66.2 percent from the free-throw line.
The Kentucky Wildcats product recently became the second rookie in NBA history to produce a 25-point, 15-rebound stat line, a feat he achieved in their loss to the Charlotte Hornets earlier this month. LeBron James is the only other player who recorded such milestone as a rookie.
Fizdale, however, is right about pointing out Knox's deficiencies. While the Phoenix, Arizona native finished as the team's second top-scorer versus the Hawks, most of his points came in the first half. In fact, he made just three points in the second half of the game.
It's up to Knox if he can live up to Fizdale's expectations. Fortunately, he knows exactly what he needs to do.
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