newyorknewyork wrote:“This is all experience for him,” coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He’s 19 years old — second-youngest guy in the league. He’s not afraid of the challenge of any of these guys. That’s how you learn, playing against these players and picking up tricks.”Raving about Ntilikina’s basketball IQ, Hornacek has said not to judge him by his numbers. He’s averaging 4.6 points per game on 35.2 percent shooting with 3.4 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 19 minutes per game, 16th among rookies. But his decision-making has fallen off.
“There are times he comes off the pick-and-roll and can get in the midrange [for a shot],” Hornacek said. “It’s going to come with playing experience of driving in there and knowing where the bailouts are. Those guys drive hard to the basket, and they’re alert to knowing where to throw it when the gap closes. That’s something Frank will learn. It’s a different speed of game in this league. The gap closes a lot quicker than he’s used to. He’s getting better every day.”
Really posted this for the last paragraph. Makes a ton of sense towards the hesitation Frank has to attack. Not being confident in where the bail outs are when the gap closes.
Hornacek is spot on about Frank's BBall IQ, his court vision. Also about the speed of the NBA game, and how the lane closes up faster. Its also true that Frank has seen some 6-lane superhighways, that he has passed on as well. Only way he is going to get to the next level is to start being more aggressive.
Frank is starting to slump in part because teams are scouting him, playing the passing lanes closer, because, they know Frank is going to give up the ball. Time for Frank to punish other teams for the early scouting reports.
Frank is getting to the line .08 times a game, that speaks to the problem as well. Im sure once he gets a few easy buckets, things will improve. Not until he becomes more aggressive.