The New York Knicks Might Have Found A Diamond In The Rough

Nov 25, 2018; Memphis, TN, USA; New York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr (3) celebrates after a dunk by guard Emmanuel Mudiay (1) as center Ends Kanter (00) looks on in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

While it might be too soon to call this particular shiny rock a diamond, the New York Knicks have surely found themselves something interesting in point guard Emmanuel Mudiay. Despite being a journeyman in the league, spending five seasons on three different teams, coach David Fizdale invested in Mudiay, a player with immense potential that just couldn’t seem to get a grasp on his abilities.

A promise is a promise for Emmanuel Mudiay:

Fizdale promised the 22 year-old PG that he would get him right, and so far he’s lived up to the guarantee. Over the course of the past few games, Mudiay has been unstoppable. On Sunday night, the rather conservative athlete took on Garrett Temple, a 6-foot-6 guard. The Knick didn’t just drive the lane, he rose to the occasion, slamming a ferocious dunk over the head of Temple.

“I just saw him sizing me up,” Mudiay said. “So when Trey gave me a good pass I just jumped and the rest is as it happened. But I went in there with a dunking mentality.”

Fizdale called the dunk, “ferocious,” going on to say, “It was the stamp on it, the exclamation point. He just wanted to bring it home so bad. Just a big-time basketball play.”

The confidence it takes for a player to attempt a Lebron James-esque slam is unique, and Mudiay seems to be gaining more with every passing game.

The Knicks are currently on a three-game winning streak, with Mudiay taking over in the last two. Against the Pelicans, he amassed 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. Taking on the Grizzlies, he recorded 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists. The young PG has been playing out of his mind, making the most of his opportunity on a team with a new coaching staff and looking to build for the future. At this current moment, it seems as if Mudiay is only helping himself secure a spot on the team for next season, and he’s going to want to be involved if the Knicks are keen on signing a super-star.