New York Knicks: Rookie Kevin Knox Is On The Rise!

New York Knicks, Kevin Knox
Dec 19, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox (20) dribbles against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The 19 year old forward out of Kentucky has been on fire the last few game, scoring at least 15 points per-game, since December 9th. For the season New York Knicks rookie Kevin Knox has been averaging 11.6 points a game, 4.1 rebounds per game, in 24.4 minutes per game.

A rough start for New York Knicks’ Kevin Knox hasn’t stopped him from progressing:

With an ankle injury out of the gate, people were quick to question the Knicks first round draft pick. Starting the season injured, and not performing well after coming back from injury, fans were quick to clamor that Kevin Knox was a bust. Calling Knox a bust 20 games into his rookie season, at age 19 is crazy, and Knox is showing the fans that.

Whether the torrid pace that Knox has been on is just a hot streak, or the Knox the Knicks will be seeing in the future, is unknown. Part of the reason Knox has improved his play is his aggressiveness, and he is more willing to shoot. Another reason is that David Fizdale is trying to play Knox at the power forward spot to increase his rebounding.

When Kevin Knox was drafted, he was just 18 years old. Part of Knox playing better has to be confidence. Knox played college ball, but it was nothing like playing in the NBA.

Nothing can match the rigors of the NBA, the quality veterans, tough scheduling, Intense traveling and fans are all things Knox saw at varying degrees at Kentucky, but the NBA has more of all of these. It takes a certain athleticism, and ability to be able to play in the NBA, and Knox is taking his time adjusting to the experience of playing in the NBA, which is I think a big reason for his early struggles.

Kevin Knox has vastly improved his play during the month of giving, and I hope to see it continue, and let him improve into a quality wing in the NBA. Let’s see if Knox can continue to play well when the Knicks play the Bucks on Christmas Day at noon.