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New York Knicks sophomore point guard Frank Ntilikina looks to bounce back from a forgettable rookie stint last year. Through rigid preparations this offseason, Ntilikina says that he's more comfortable and confident heading into the second year of his NBA career.
Marc Berman of the New York Post has the story on the 20-year old defensive guard.
“My overall body, it [gives me the] ability to feel comfortable on the court right now — defensively and offensively,’’ Ntilikina said, “I feel I played with a more free mind.”
While defense and versatility still remain as his calling card for the team, Berman also writes that Ntilikina has also shown glimpses of improvement in his offensive game.
Ntilikina averaged 7.1 points in 20 minutes on 45.2 shooting and 50 percent on 3-pointers this preseason. He shot almost 10 percent higher than last regular season.
The Knicks will miss the scoring punch of superstar Kristaps Porzingis, who is out indefinitely due to a torn ACL he suffered last season. Ntilikina's improvement on offense is indeed a welcome sight for the team.
Aside from his offense, it is expected that the young Frenchman will flourish under new head coach David Fizdale's system. Fizdale has long been the mastermind of the Miami Heat's defensive schemes, and he also led the ‘Grit and Grind' Memphis Grizzlies to a playoff seat in his first stint as a head coach.
Fizdale's credentials speak defense all throughout, and it's a no-brainer that he will maximize and squeeze out every bit of Ntilikina's potential as a quality two-way threat in the league.
