New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale has taken an interesting approach toward the point guard position to start the season, utilizing his trio of options situationally, favoring veteran Elfrid Payton.
The former New Orleans Pelican was reportedly promised the starting job, and he surely won it in the first game of the regular season, putting on a defensive clinic. Dennis Smith Jr., a player who the Knicks brass had high hopes for, has been abysmal to start the year, but he’s more than capable of turning his bad luck around.
The New York Knicks must commit to a point guard and not re-invent the wheel:
However, third-year player Frank Ntilikina has been stuck in a rotation that has seen rookie forward, RJ Barrett, earn more minutes at point guard. The reality is, Ntilikina doesn’t have the size or strength to battle at the rim, and his lack of elusiveness around the basket doesn’t make him a reliable offensive threat.
The Frenchman is a defensive stud, though, playing situationally to lock down the opposing team’s point guard. Some would make the argument that Ntilikina should be starting, and the momentum could help instill confidence and elevate his game. Against the Magic on Wednesday, Fizdale once again took an interesting approach towards the position.
Fizdale started the game without a point guard but had Barrett feature as the primary keeper. This move failed miserably, as the New York Knicks put up a whopping 83 points on the night. Ntilikina ended up playing 29 minutes and scored seven points, finishing with a +2 +/- on a night where most players were in the negative.
Keeping Frank out of the starting lineup could affect his confidence, but Fizdale was adamant that he understood the approach:
“No, not at all. He’s not even thinking like that. He understands exactly what I’m doing. I communicate to these guys why I’m doing what I’m doing. He’s going to have to play a ton of minutes [Wednesday]. I can’t afford to lose him to foul trouble. So I’ll spread him out. Frank’s our lone pure point. I don’t want to mess around and get either one in foul trouble.’’
Moving forward, I would like to see more of Ntilikina and his defense. However, he must begin producing more on offense to become a constant option — an all too familiar storyline.