gotta laugh at the media hype and nonsense - most media "experts" made it seem like the knicks passed on michael jordan to take sam bowie. you gotta let these guys play before you make such proclamations.

GustavBahler wrote:Not going to read too much into a scrimmage. I did like all the passing, cutting to the rim. There was so much "every man for himself" last season, that this is refreshing.

When was the last time the coaches and players talking about how good a young player was on this squad? Honest question. Head coach has gushed about him. Sessions has and he's mentoring. Other players are...

WaltLongmire wrote:

Clean wrote:One thing I learned is to never take much out of these training camp videos. I remember in the past our players looking way better than they actually were due to playing against the Knicks terrible defense at the time. I will wait until we see him vs other teams to get a better sense. One thing I am really happy with is that he looks like he shoots a lot better than I expected.

Shooting was supposedly an issue with him a few years ago...this is clearly not the case anymore.

I never look at how many points a player scores in this type of thing...I look at form/technique, and decision making. I've watched a number of French games he played in, and this was how he played. His shooting form is excellent with good range...and I'm telling everyone- that midrange pull-up J of his is going to be unstoppable at some point. When he comes off a pick, although he is not Chris Paul quick, he has the height to get that shot off at will, and from what I've seen, when he wants to do it, he is very accurate.

I have images of Doc Rivers, the year he was injured, doing this with Patrick Ewing setting the pick. Older guys might remember this, but Doc would come off a Ewing pick, and if defenders focused on Patrick, Rivers would pull-up for a 13-15 ft J. I can see Frank doing this with Willy, KP, or Kanter.

Too early to get over-excited...but what he did in this scrimmage was what I saw he was very comfortable doing in France. Frank's issue is that he is too unselfish at times...That great NYT article on him from January has one of Lebron's friends who played with him in France talking about Frank being more assertive at times. You got a couple of glimpses in the scrimmage of what he can do when he is more aggressive, I think it is a matter of time and confidence before he is one of those players who can turn it on when he wants to.

And always remember...the kid is TWO MONTHS away from having turned 19, and although you can see he is getting stronger, he is still a HS student in terms of physical maturity, and behind many of his draft peers.

I kept thinking back to moments of Jerian Grant and the deer-in-headlights look when he had the ball but didn't know what to do as a PG. Can't say that I watched a ton of the scrimmage but it seems to me that Frank is quite the opposite

WaltLongmire wrote:

Clean wrote:One thing I learned is to never take much out of these training camp videos. I remember in the past our players looking way better than they actually were due to playing against the Knicks terrible defense at the time. I will wait until we see him vs other teams to get a better sense. One thing I am really happy with is that he looks like he shoots a lot better than I expected.

Shooting was supposedly an issue with him a few years ago...this is clearly not the case anymore.

I never look at how many points a player scores in this type of thing...I look at form/technique, and decision making. I've watched a number of French games he played in, and this was how he played. His shooting form is excellent with good range...and I'm telling everyone- that midrange pull-up J of his is going to be unstoppable at some point. When he comes off a pick, although he is not Chris Paul quick, he has the height to get that shot off at will, and from what I've seen, when he wants to do it, he is very accurate.

I have images of Doc Rivers, the year he was injured, doing this with Patrick Ewing setting the pick. Older guys might remember this, but Doc would come off a Ewing pick, and if defenders focused on Patrick, Rivers would pull-up for a 13-15 ft J. I can see Frank doing this with Willy, KP, or Kanter.

Too early to get over-excited...but what he did in this scrimmage was what I saw he was very comfortable doing in France. Frank's issue is that he is too unselfish at times...That great NYT article on him from January has one of Lebron's friends who played with him in France talking about Frank being more assertive at times. You got a couple of glimpses in the scrimmage of what he can do when he is more aggressive, I think it is a matter of time and confidence before he is one of those players who can turn it on when he wants to.

And always remember...the kid is TWO MONTHS away from having turned 19, and although you can see he is getting stronger, he is still a HS student in terms of physical maturity, and behind many of his draft peers.

He can end up being flat out lethal of the PNR. 6'6 with a 7ft wingspan. Due to him not being super fast and explosive it makes him more controlled and smoother for the pull up with beautiful form. He also will read if you over play him to get to the paint. Due to his strength and conditioning over the summer. Seems to have improved his ability to absorb contact and finish with length. Then when you add in his unselfishness to find open teammates as well. He can really develop into a very tough cover.

martin wrote:

WaltLongmire wrote:

Clean wrote:One thing I learned is to never take much out of these training camp videos. I remember in the past our players looking way better than they actually were due to playing against the Knicks terrible defense at the time. I will wait until we see him vs other teams to get a better sense. One thing I am really happy with is that he looks like he shoots a lot better than I expected.

Shooting was supposedly an issue with him a few years ago...this is clearly not the case anymore.

I never look at how many points a player scores in this type of thing...I look at form/technique, and decision making. I've watched a number of French games he played in, and this was how he played. His shooting form is excellent with good range...and I'm telling everyone- that midrange pull-up J of his is going to be unstoppable at some point. When he comes off a pick, although he is not Chris Paul quick, he has the height to get that shot off at will, and from what I've seen, when he wants to do it, he is very accurate.

I have images of Doc Rivers, the year he was injured, doing this with Patrick Ewing setting the pick. Older guys might remember this, but Doc would come off a Ewing pick, and if defenders focused on Patrick, Rivers would pull-up for a 13-15 ft J. I can see Frank doing this with Willy, KP, or Kanter.

Too early to get over-excited...but what he did in this scrimmage was what I saw he was very comfortable doing in France. Frank's issue is that he is too unselfish at times...That great NYT article on him from January has one of Lebron's friends who played with him in France talking about Frank being more assertive at times. You got a couple of glimpses in the scrimmage of what he can do when he is more aggressive, I think it is a matter of time and confidence before he is one of those players who can turn it on when he wants to.

And always remember...the kid is TWO MONTHS away from having turned 19, and although you can see he is getting stronger, he is still a HS student in terms of physical maturity, and behind many of his draft peers.

I kept thinking back to moments of Jerian Grant and the deer-in-headlights look when he had the ball but didn't know what to do as a PG. Can't say that I watched a ton of the scrimmage but it seems to me that Frank is quite the opposite

Before being traded to Chicago, I would have said his issue was the Triangle, but Grant has had the same issues with the Bulls.

Grant played 4 years of college ball, against excellent NCAA competition...Frank has played a couple of years against adults. Hard to figure why some respond differently in the NBA. Look at Galloway and Baker- both showed poise, AND they were undrafted.

Strange. Just hope Ntilikina stays cool.

nyk4ever wrote:yeah but dennis smith jr was really good in summer league

gotta laugh at the media hype and nonsense - most media "experts" made it seem like the knicks passed on michael jordan to take sam bowie. you gotta let these guys play before you make such proclamations.

Clean wrote:One thing I learned is to never take much out of these training camp videos. I remember in the past our players looking way better than they actually were due to playing against the Knicks terrible defense at the time. I will wait until we see him vs other teams to get a better sense. One thing I am really happy with is that he looks like he shoots a lot better than I expected.

Voice of reason.

Hell against our team - Cleanthony Early and Andy Routins looked like Bernard King and Jerry West.

Wishing Frank well --- it's going to be a long grind of a season. He is a legit talent but it's going to be about his body holding up and he already tweaked his groin at todays practice.

LivingLegend wrote:

Clean wrote:One thing I learned is to never take much out of these training camp videos. I remember in the past our players looking way better than they actually were due to playing against the Knicks terrible defense at the time. I will wait until we see him vs other teams to get a better sense. One thing I am really happy with is that he looks like he shoots a lot better than I expected.

Voice of reason.

Hell against our team - Cleanthony Early and Andy Routins looked like Bernard King and Jerry West.

Wishing Frank well --- it's going to be a long grind of a season. He is a legit talent but it's going to be about his body holding up and he already tweaked his groin at todays practice.

Of course the true test can only come with time. This IMO is selling the kid short. If you can't at least acknowledge that Nitty showed no hesitation in his decision making, used screens well, kept a good pace, drove and finished and shot confidently then I have to question your skills of observation. No one is suggesting this practice and scrimmage was the ultimate test. It was just a small indication of a 19 yr old kid looking unfazed by the role of PG at this early stage.

Tweaking a groin can happen to anyone so this isn't any kind of indication of anything at this point. Yes the NBA Grind is going to test Nitty like nothing he's ever faced exactly the same as any rookie.