New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale has recently shed some light on the current logjam in the team's backcourt. According to the 44-year-old coach, he intends to continue starting five-year man Emmanuel Mudiay, with sophomore stud Frank Ntilikina serving as his primary backup.
David Fizdale says the plan for the second half of the season — at least for now — is to keep Ntilikina as the backup point guard behind Emmanuel Mudiay.
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) January 21, 2019
Mudiay is in the midst of his best season as a pro, with the 22-year-old currently averaging a career-high 14.8 points (on 45.1 percent shooting), 1.1 three-pointers, 3.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 1.8 turnovers in 26.8 minutes of action.
On the other hand, Ntilikina's progress in his second year in the league has been somewhat pedestrian. The 6-foot-5 guard is putting up just 6.0 points (on 34.4 percent shooting), 0.8 three-pointers, 1.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 blocks, and 1.3 turnovers in 21.2 minutes per contest.
The numbers alone speak for themselves, and at the moment, it is hard to argue with Fizdale's decision here. He obviously has more trust on Mudiay, and appears set on letting him keep the starting job the rest of the way.
It is worth noting, however, that Mudiay is on an expiring deal, and could be allowed to move on in the summer. If the Knicks decide against re-signing Mudiay, then it would naturally follow that Ntilikina would have a more substantial role for the team moving forward.
Then again, there is still the matter of another formidable point guard, Trey Burke, who has not been bad himself this season. Burke's deal, however, is also set to expire this summer, so it appears that Ntilikina (his deal extends to the 2020-21 season) remains to be the team's point guard of the future.
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