The 2018-19 season is a developmental year for the New York Knicks. As they struggle without Krystaps Prozingas, their best player, the Knicks are developing their young players. Last off season, the Knicks drafted three rookies - Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Alonzo Trier. The Knicks are trying to develop them as the team attempts to remain competitive this season. Coach David Fizdale and his staff are doing their best to develop their rookies and their other young players.
Developing young players while trying to remain competitive is a difficult balancing act. On the one hand, the coach must encourage the players to be successful on the court in all situations. The players must be efficient on the offensive and defensive end. Offensively, the player must avoid turnovers and score. Defensively, the player must rebound, switch on defense and not let his man score. However, simultaneously, the coach must show patience as the rookie player goes through growing pains.
Knox is the more celebrated of the three rookies. The 9th overall pick in the first round of last year's draft, Knox played only one year at Kentucky. He was drafted as a 19 year old. Some scouts have criticized him as being soft and uninterested in basketball. Fizdale defended Knox and reminded the critics of how young Knox is. Also, Fizdale emphasized that New York city is one of the biggest markets in the United States. So, Knox needed some time to adjust. Fizdale urged patience for Knox and the other young players.
Knox played only one year at the University of Kentucky. Knox averaged 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. Knox shot 45% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. Knox played in his first game for New York on October 17th. Knox scored 10 points in a win against the Atlanta Hawks. On October 19th, Knox played his best game as a Knick. Knox scored 17 points and had 6 rebounds in a close loss against the cross town rival Brooklyn Nets. Unfortunately, on October 20th, Knox sprained his ankle in a loss against the Boston Celtics.
Knox had a break out game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 1st. Knox scored 26 points off of the bench. He made 5 three point shots and helped the Knicks to defeat the Bucks 136-134 in over time.
Against Milwaukee, Knox's offensive skills were evident. Knox hit 5 three point shots from different places on the court. He made a shot from the corner and a few from the top of the arc. He curled around the top of the key, took a pass and drove into the lane for a layup. In transition, he got ahead of the field and finished with a layup. Knox took a pass from behind the arc, stepped up and made a long two point shot. On offense, Knox moved well with and without the basketball. He showed fluidity and poise. Defensively, he added a blocked shot. The game against Milwaukee showed why New York took him in the first round of the draft.
Mitchell Robinson is a good young shot blocker. In one game, on November 11th, in a game against the Orlando Magic, Robinson had a rookie record 9 block shots! Unfortunately, in another game, Robinson fouled out in 9 minutes. Such sporadic play is common for rookies and other young players. However, Robinson shows good potential as a rim protector and shot blocker. The Knicks would do well to be patient with his development.
Robinson was a good player in high school, but did not play in college. While at Western Kentucky University, Robinson was suspended for violating team rules. So, Robinson did not attend college and decided to enter the 2018 NBA draft. Robinson was selected with the 36th overall pick by the Knicks.
Robinson played in his first game for the Knicks on October 17th. Robinson only had 2 points in a win against the Atlanta Hawks. On October 26th, Robinson started for the Knicks in a game against Golden State. Robinson scored 7 points and had 6 rebounds. On November 2nd, Robinson scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds in a 118-106 win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Robinson still needs to develop an offensive game. He has some shot blocking and rebounding skills, but he must become a more complete player. Since he is only 20 years old and lacks experience playing in college, Robinson will need time to develop. The Knicks should see a big improvement from this year to next year. In a rebuilding season, Robinson should get enough playing time to improve his offensive game and his overall consistency. The Knicks should invest time in Robinson's development. He should be able to provide interior defense and protection around the rim.
Trier played college basketball at the University of Arizona. Trier was not drafted by an NBA team. The Knicks signed him after the draft. His contract allowed him to split time between the New York Knicks and the Westchester Knicks - New York's team in the G league, which is a developmental league.
At the University of Arizona, Trier averaged 18.8 points per game and 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. In New York, Trier is averaging 11.7 points per game in almost 24 minutes a game. Trier has provided some depth to the Knicks' bench.
In a game against the Detroit Pistons, Trier had 24 points. Trier showed some of the skills that make him a valuable contributor to the Knicks. Early in the game, Trier dribbled to the top of the key, performed a head fake against the defender and made a shot. Trier showed passing ability against Detroit. Trier drove into the lane and dished off to Kanter for an easy bucket underneath. Trier completed a perfect bounce pass to a player in the lane. Trier performed an excellent spin move against a defender before he drove into the lane for a lay up. Against Detroit, Trier showed athleticism, passing ability, sound shot selection and good teamwork.
In a game against the Brooklyn Nets, he displayed offensive profiency. Trier created his own shot a few times. He dribbled around defenders and made open shots at the foul line. He showed decent head fakes against the defenders. Trier drove into the lane and drew the foul, which resulted in a three point play. Trier scored off of fast breaks. He did a good job of getting past defenders and was able to finish off the break. Additionally, Trier had a blocked shot on defense.
The Knicks may be rebuilding. However, going through a rebuilding year has enabled New York to develop three talented rookies. This will benefit the Knicks and those players both now and in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment