New York Knicks’ second-year point guard, Frank Ntilikina, is preparing to have a breakout season, despite struggling offensively in his rookie season. After Kristaps Porzingis went down with a significant knee injury, the French star was forced into a big role.
Ntilikina averaged just 9.8 points and 5.3 assists per game for every 36 minutes played. His offensive production lacked the spark that most thought he had coming into the organization. In 2018, he’s primed to take a major developmental leap. The young guard has worked tirelessly to improve his game and work on his jump shot to create a well-rounded attacking presence on the court.
How will the younger additions help Frank Ntilikina on the court?
Drafting Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson will help take some of the weight off the shoulders of the sophomore, although he will still remain an important piece moving forward. Ultimately, he’s the future point guard of the franchise and will have his chance to display his true potential in the months ahead.
It’s important to recognize that Ntilikina joined the ranks of the Knicks during a trying time – Jeff Hornacek was on a do-or-die year and the veterans on the team were crumbling around him. He was forced into a conditioning program that was nothing like the programs in France. Moving forward, he will have a solid supporting cast and several young players to develop alongside him. He will no longer be the lone-ranger of the team, but rather the veteran on a roster that features an 18 year old phenom.
This provides reason for hope in regard to Ntilikina, and we should expect to see major improvements in 2018.