New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina has decided to embrace his newfound “junkyard dog” mentality, with a decisive and sudden meeting with embattled second-year head coach David Fizdale propelling the Frenchman to his recent stretch of positive play.

“He just said, ‘Coach, I've been through a lot in my two years. I feel like I finally understand what the NBA is about. I know I haven't shown it yet, but I'm a dog, too,'” Fizdale said, Per SNY's Ian Begley.

“It was so cool to hear him say that. And (Thursday against Dallas) he showed that he is really a junkyard dog when it comes to competition.”

Fizdale, who could be coaching for his job with turmoil brewing in Knicks management, called the third-year guard a “bulldog” after New York won a close game against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday in Kristaps Porzingis' return to Madison Square Garden.

Ntilikina has had a tough early career with the Knicks, with playing time waning for stretches and injuries limiting the full extent of his tenure. However, when veteran point guard Elfrid Payton went down with a hamstring injury and Dennis Smith Jr. away from the team until this week due to a loss in his immediate family, Ntilikina has stepped up and demonstrated the type of tough-minded defensive effort he can bring every night.

After Thursday's contest, Ntilikina was introspective of his summer workout and time with the French national team during the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

“I think the work I put in all summer and even last season while I was injured, allows me to be more comfortable and everything else in life be more comfortable here in this country, this situation as an NBA player. And everything is set now,” said Ntilikina. “So my mind is all the way into basketball and do what it takes to get to the next level. So I think that was the mindset — just get to the next level. And how could I get to the next level? By being a dog, by asking questions, knowing where can I get better, how can I be a better player, how can I bring a lot to a lot to the team.”

Ntilikina's intensity was fed off a rowdy Knicks crowd yesterday, which constantly booed the returning Porzingis who was a teammate of his in his first two seasons.