Drafting Kevin Knox was a hope and a prayer for the New York Knicks; why? Because his role was diminished with the Kentucky Wildcats and his true potential was hidden behind a wall of balance and structure. With the Knicks, he will have the green light to display his skills on the court and enjoy playing the game he knows.
While the Summer League just ended, we have already seen a glimpse of Knox and how the Knicks will utilize him in a dynamic fashion. His length and athleticism has been apparent and effective on the court – something the Knicks have lacked in past years.
With the Wildcats, Knox played more of a big-man role – corralling the ball on the baseline and driving to the hoop. That won’t work in the NBA with his age and inexperience. The Knicks are allowing him to take the ball from the top and work his way down into the paint. This allows him to make reads and understand the game from the perspective of a driving forward. Ultimately, this is what coach David Fizdale wants and how he can extract the most value out of his 18 year-old phenom.
What does Kevin Knox need to work on?
Despite the fantastic reviews from the rookie thus far, Knox has plenty to work on and develop once the season begins. He has an inconsistent jump-shot and left hand, which could cause issues for him when driving and fighting off defenders. Additionally, his defense needs work. Knox is a pure scorer, but will need to grow into a defense role as well if he wants to be a well-rounded NBA star.
Many players struggle with the balance aspect of their game, but Knox has the youth and athleticism to adapt and refine his skill-sets on both sides of the ball.
One of his most enticing abilities is his rhythm. When Knox is hitting shots, he’s unstoppable. If he can consistently make shots and harness his potential, he could be one of the most exciting young players to watch for years to come.