The inaugural season for the Westchester Knicks — the New York Knicks’ D-League affiliate — has been chalked full of events; unfortunately winning a ton of games hasn’t been included in those events. The Knicks are currently in last in the Eastern Conference at a woeful 10-37 and the only team with a worse record are the Idaho Stampede (8-39). Before their last game, head coach Kevin Whitted was relieved of his duties before even finishing out the season.

Not everything has been a let down, however, as earlier this season Langston Galloway earned the franchise’s first NBA Call-Up and he caught the league by a storm during his 10-day contracts and eventually earned himself a two-year contract with the big Knicks.
Stay connected with Road to the Association
Follow @Road2NBA

The other bright spot for the team has to be 2014 second round draft pick, Thanasis Antetokounmpo. The older brother of the Greek Freak showed off his skills last season in the NBA D-League for the Delaware 87ers and played his way into being drafted by the New York Knicks with 51st overall pick. When the Knicks decided they would not be signing him after camp, Thanasis had to decide between staying in the D-League for another year or heading overseas to play and in all likelihood earn more money as well. Ultimately, he decided to stay and play for the Knicks’ D-League team in Westchester in hopes of a call-up.

Although that call-up hasn’t — and will not — come this season, the team has made it very clear that Thanasis is a big part of their future plans. It’s difficult as fans to get excited for something that we won’t be able to view until six months down the road, but Knicks’ fans are going to instantly fall in love with Thanasis. He brings an endless motor — especially on the defensive end — and if paired with the right pieces he can be productive on the offensive end as well.

I thought it would be fitting to take a look at the year by year comparison, so that the work Thanasis is putting in can be put to light.
Year over year stats

There are certainly some areas that still need refining for Antetokounmpo, however he has made great strides and has been able to reestablish his offensive focus as well. A lot of the NBA prospects that have earned call-ups and been successful have better surface numbers that Thanasis. His 14 points and six rebounds aren’t going to jump off the page at you, but the important thing to note is that his greatest strengths are on the defensive end of the floor. Also, Westchester plays the third slowest pace in the D-League (97.41), they score the fewest points per game (96.2), and they are the only team in the league with an offensive rating under 100 (98.3).

The reason to bring light to the lack of offense for Westchester is simply to note that his 14 points per night would theoretically be higher with basically any other team in the D-League. The other aspect of Thanasis’ offense that jumped out to me was that he is taking less 3-pointers and getting to the free throw line more this season, which shows that he is focusing on getting to the rim and not settling for outside shots.
Thanasis' Shot Distribution in 2013/14
Thanasis' Shot Distribution in 2014/15

These distribution charts really show the change in focus in Thanasis’ offensive approach. It’s a real benefit for a 22 year old to realize his strengths and play to those strengths. Not everyone is so willing to give up the long ball and while the efficiency hasn’t come yet (his splits are 46/23/61) he is still developing this side of the ball that does not come so naturally as the opposite end.

When we switch modes and talk about defense, Thanasis is quite simply a natural and his defensive instincts are a wonder to behold. Of players who have played at least 10 games this year in the D-League he is one of only three who average at least 14 points, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks — the other two (Quincy Miller and James McAdoo) are signed to NBA deals after getting call-ups.

Think of young Gerald Wallace — not the one running around nowadays — and that is what Thanasis can be; plus he has better form on his jump shot already. If that’s the case and he can turn into the Crash of old, then the Knicks hit the jackpot in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. Time will certainly tell if that happens or not and come 2015/16 we will see what the elder Antetokounmpo can do at the NBA level. Get ready Knick fans!

More from Road to the Association

The ‘All-What Else Do I Have To Do?’ NBADL Team1d ago
D-League Plays of the Month in March2d ago
Report: Sacramento Kings to Sign Sim Bhullar to 10-day Contract3d ago
Report: Phoenix Suns Will Sign Jerel McNeal from Bakersfield Jam3d ago
ESPN Will Air NBA D-League Playoffs for First Time5d ago

CrushAlot wrote:^^^^Thanks. Couldn't copy and paste the article. I really like Reichert. He is a great guy to follow on twitter if you are interested in d league news.

I goutchu. This article was nice, I really like how he takes no midrangers and its all at theftline or the corner 3.

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

CrushAlot wrote:

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

A Schved, Ledo, Thanasis, Galloway back court rotation would feature 3 guys 6'6 or taller.

It also wouldn't have a single reliable shooter.

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

It's funny when Pippen was drafted they compared him to Dennis Rodman.

martin wrote:

VCoug wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

A Schved, Ledo, Thanasis, Galloway back court rotation would feature 3 guys 6'6 or taller.

It also wouldn't have a single reliable shooter.

but you would be talking about today's version of each of those players, you gotta project some and hope maybe 2 of them get to a point where they are very usable.

You look at some young wing types and you see that each took multiple years in the NBA before they found their groove: Beal, Jimmy Butler, Avery Bradely, Patrick Beverly, Khris Middleton, Victor Oladipo, Goran Dragic, DeMarre Carroll and so on. It took all these guys multiple years before they could find shooting and their games (if they've even gotten that far).

That doesn't seem to be the case. Beal's numbers are shockingly similar through his 1st 3 years. Butler made a leap in year 2, which is at least partially due to increased playing time, and probably hasn't been as good since. Bradley, Beverley, and Middleton numbers improved in year 2, again mostly due to increased playing time, and really haven't improved since. Everyone knew Oladipo was going to be at least a solid player when he was drafted but we don't know if you can build a competent NBA offense if he isn't playing next to a shooter. Dragic I'll give you with caveats; he was a foreign player and foreign players historically have had a much more difficult time transitioning to the NBA than NCAA players. Carroll's all over the place but once he started getting regular playing time in Utah his career took off.

VCoug wrote:

martin wrote:

VCoug wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

A Schved, Ledo, Thanasis, Galloway back court rotation would feature 3 guys 6'6 or taller.

It also wouldn't have a single reliable shooter.

but you would be talking about today's version of each of those players, you gotta project some and hope maybe 2 of them get to a point where they are very usable.

You look at some young wing types and you see that each took multiple years in the NBA before they found their groove: Beal, Jimmy Butler, Avery Bradely, Patrick Beverly, Khris Middleton, Victor Oladipo, Goran Dragic, DeMarre Carroll and so on. It took all these guys multiple years before they could find shooting and their games (if they've even gotten that far).

That doesn't seem to be the case. Beal's numbers are shockingly similar through his 1st 3 years. Butler made a leap in year 2, which is at least partially due to increased playing time, and probably hasn't been as good since. Bradley, Beverley, and Middleton numbers improved in year 2, again mostly due to increased playing time, and really haven't improved since. Everyone knew Oladipo was going to be at least a solid player when he was drafted but we don't know if you can build a competent NBA offense if he isn't playing next to a shooter. Dragic I'll give you with caveats; he was a foreign player and foreign players historically have had a much more difficult time transitioning to the NBA than NCAA players. Carroll's all over the place but once he started getting regular playing time in Utah his career took off.

I dont even know what you are saying. All of the guys that I listed... I'd want them on the team as a wing player and all of them struggled or are still struggling in the shooting department. Same as our guys, but you gotta give them time to figure out their game.

martin wrote:

VCoug wrote:

martin wrote:

VCoug wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

A Schved, Ledo, Thanasis, Galloway back court rotation would feature 3 guys 6'6 or taller.

It also wouldn't have a single reliable shooter.

but you would be talking about today's version of each of those players, you gotta project some and hope maybe 2 of them get to a point where they are very usable.

You look at some young wing types and you see that each took multiple years in the NBA before they found their groove: Beal, Jimmy Butler, Avery Bradely, Patrick Beverly, Khris Middleton, Victor Oladipo, Goran Dragic, DeMarre Carroll and so on. It took all these guys multiple years before they could find shooting and their games (if they've even gotten that far).

That doesn't seem to be the case. Beal's numbers are shockingly similar through his 1st 3 years. Butler made a leap in year 2, which is at least partially due to increased playing time, and probably hasn't been as good since. Bradley, Beverley, and Middleton numbers improved in year 2, again mostly due to increased playing time, and really haven't improved since. Everyone knew Oladipo was going to be at least a solid player when he was drafted but we don't know if you can build a competent NBA offense if he isn't playing next to a shooter. Dragic I'll give you with caveats; he was a foreign player and foreign players historically have had a much more difficult time transitioning to the NBA than NCAA players. Carroll's all over the place but once he started getting regular playing time in Utah his career took off.

I dont even know what you are saying. All of the guys that I listed... I'd want them on the team as a wing player and all of them struggled or are still struggling in the shooting department. Same as our guys, but you gotta give them time to figure out their game.

TPercy wrote:

VCoug wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

A Schved, Ledo, Thanasis, Galloway back court rotation would feature 3 guys 6'6 or taller.

It also wouldn't have a single reliable shooter.

Shved is not a reliable shooter?

He's been an above average shooter for a total of 16 games. No, he's not a reliable shooter.

VCoug wrote:

martin wrote:

VCoug wrote:

martin wrote:

VCoug wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:Was watching highlights of Pippens early years Thanasis has similarities to Pippens game. Pippen was good but he wasn't great. His shot was weak, his free throw shooting wasn't great either. Thanasis can be that type of player.

man I hope so. Thanasis has so much potential with his motor and athleticism, and for me it speaks volumes that he would turn down the $ to play in Europe this past year to stick with the DLeague Knicks dev team (although admittedly his bro probably kicked him some $ and that eased the decision). Now, if he could settle down and continue to grow on the offensive side, he'd be a supremely good SG.

A Schved, Ledo, Thanasis, Galloway back court rotation would feature 3 guys 6'6 or taller.

It also wouldn't have a single reliable shooter.

but you would be talking about today's version of each of those players, you gotta project some and hope maybe 2 of them get to a point where they are very usable.

You look at some young wing types and you see that each took multiple years in the NBA before they found their groove: Beal, Jimmy Butler, Avery Bradely, Patrick Beverly, Khris Middleton, Victor Oladipo, Goran Dragic, DeMarre Carroll and so on. It took all these guys multiple years before they could find shooting and their games (if they've even gotten that far).

That doesn't seem to be the case. Beal's numbers are shockingly similar through his 1st 3 years. Butler made a leap in year 2, which is at least partially due to increased playing time, and probably hasn't been as good since. Bradley, Beverley, and Middleton numbers improved in year 2, again mostly due to increased playing time, and really haven't improved since. Everyone knew Oladipo was going to be at least a solid player when he was drafted but we don't know if you can build a competent NBA offense if he isn't playing next to a shooter. Dragic I'll give you with caveats; he was a foreign player and foreign players historically have had a much more difficult time transitioning to the NBA than NCAA players. Carroll's all over the place but once he started getting regular playing time in Utah his career took off.

I dont even know what you are saying. All of the guys that I listed... I'd want them on the team as a wing player and all of them struggled or are still struggling in the shooting department. Same as our guys, but you gotta give them time to figure out their game.

Beal never struggled as a shooter, he's been a good shooter since his rookie year. Most of the rest have been good shooters since year 2. And, the ones who still can't shoot, Oladipo and Bradley, we don't know if you can build a good team unless they're paired up with guys who can shoot.

The guys you listed on the Knicks are all past year 2 except Thanasis and Galloway. And Thanasis, from everything we've heard, has basically abandoned outside shooting in the D-League. Ledo probably isn't even a good player, his advanced stats are miserable. And this year is the first year that Shved has been an above average shooter; for his career he's shooting 30% from 3 and 41% from 2.

The entire point is that you can't pass final judgment on rookies and guys that are still early in their career. Sometimes these players show great improvement when allowed to develop. Schved is in just his 3rd year. He's finally getting a shot to play meaningful minutes which hadn't happened since his rookie year. Ledo, THJ, Thanasis, Early and Galloway are still early in their careers. They haven't had a chance to fully develop. Impatience is off the chain around here. These kids aren't costing us much. We might as well see what they can develop into. The Spurs understand this concept and stick with their prospects long enough to see how they fully develop.