Horny went back to Frank after a good 6 minute stretch by Burke and he was a different player than he's been in the last 3 (at least or maybe all season). He was doing all the things that Horny (and we) have been crying for him to do all season: pushing the pace, looking up and finding the open man, keeping his dribble and getting in the paint (being aggressive and not hesitating). And all of a sudden, we began to see the Frank we believed we were getting when we drafted him--a menace on the perimeter on D with his length and good hands, a cerebral passer and a capable rebounder and shooter (a complete all around game almost getting a triple double).

Now some, like Nix, will argue that Burke had no impact on Frank's confidence and aggressiveness today, and he was playing well before Burke came in, but the bottom line is that Horny quick subbed Frank in the 2nd for Burke (who was just signed from the G league and is a youngish player) who outplayed him. Once Frank came back in, we saw a different player. There has to be something to be said in this.

There is nothing wrong with young players who are hungry pushing one another for minutes. Instead of Jack and Ramon (older vets) who are established and not getting any better, we now have a player who could possible be part of our future playing the same position and motivating Frank. I think it was a brilliant move by Horny.

Frank played the best game of his young career and his best 2nd half (Horny never took him out or re-inserted Jack) and closed the game out.

As I said correlation doesn’t mean causation. Heck Frank and Baker came in before Burke saw his 1st minutes. It wasn’t that long ago that Frank had a similarly good game!!! Rookies are going to have bad stretches. Both Frank and Burke should help this team going forward. I don’t see it as a competition.

SocraticBallin22 wrote:

nixluva wrote:SocraticBallin22 If we’re to follow your theory then Frank should’ve snapped out of it in previous games when his minutes where Cut! Just cuz it was Burke coming in this time doesn’t mean Frank should suddenly fear his place. Frank was actually playing well from the start of this game when he came in. While it was great to see Burke play well Burke is also going to have to show he can consistently get it done at this level. Burke was coming even if Frank had a good last few games! It was the timing of the G League Showcase.

As I said correlation doesn’t mean causation. Heck Frank and Baker came in before Burke saw his 1st minutes. It wasn’t that long ago that Frank had a similarly good game!!! Rookies are going to have bad stretches. Both Frank and Burke should help this team going forward. I don’t see it as a competition.

I agree with you that Frank is not in jeopardy of losing his rotation spot or his minutes (in fact, I believe he is going to be the starter sooner rather than later), but Burke coming in today and playing really well (with the team playing really well with him) in that 6 minutes stretch when he was subbed in for Frank, and doing all the things that Horny has been pleading for Frank to do (not saying Burke is better or a better prospect, but he has that scorer's aggressive mentality when he plays; something Frank has been lacking)it could have influenced Frank's play and his attack mode when he came back in the game.

Also, when Frank has one of his invisible games like he's had the last few where he disappears, it's nice for Horny to have another option in Burke who could do all the things he likes. He is able to pull the plug on him early if he's not playing the way he wants.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. Frank is developing and will get his minutes eventually regardless (he is the future), but having an option like Burke has Frank maybe thinking he needs to stay aggressive out there when he plays.

I’m only pointing out that Frank had a good start before Burke played. When Frank 1st entered the game the Knicks were down 14-18 and when he left they were up 33-31. Burke did a great job and the team extended the lead. It was all good. This is what we all wanted to see. Hopefully this is the start of something special.

dwiley20 wrote:this post is a lie

Thank you for your contribution.

TheGame wrote:While I think Frank works hard anyway, competition is always a good thing. It has been a good four games since I have seen Frank be that active on defense and he was more aggressive on offense. I fully believe the kid recognized that Trey is hungry young guard and Frank wanted to show that he is the future starter. Due to Frank's defense, Burke will probably never overtake him but you have a different level of motivation when you know there is a guy behind you that has won national college player of the year and who is hungry for minutes. Good move by the Knicks.

Only thing is Frank always plays hard on D! The bad Offensive games recently were the issue. Even still Frank was playing well from the start of this game and he led me the team to take the lead in his 1st minutes.

Frank IMO is self motivated. He’s MOSTLY been a source of energy for this team all season. I think Burke is a good move for this team whether he played well or not I expect Nitty would’ve continued to play well in this game.

martin wrote:I think Trey type player would be a good compliment to Frank once Frank takes hold of the starting position. Change of pace scoring PG.

I agree. They’re so different that it’s a good way to shake up an opposing defense. This team has needed that. I want to see Frank and Burke on the floor and see how that works.

TheGame wrote:

nixluva wrote:

TheGame wrote:While I think Frank works hard anyway, competition is always a good thing. It has been a good four games since I have seen Frank be that active on defense and he was more aggressive on offense. I fully believe the kid recognized that Trey is hungry young guard and Frank wanted to show that he is the future starter. Due to Frank's defense, Burke will probably never overtake him but you have a different level of motivation when you know there is a guy behind you that has won national college player of the year and who is hungry for minutes. Good move by the Knicks.

Only thing is Frank always plays hard on D! The bad Offensive games recently were the issue. Even still Frank was playing well from the start of this game and he lead the team to take the lead in his 1st minutes.

Frank IMO is self motivated. He’s MOSTLY been a source of energy for this team all season. I think Burke is a good move for this team whether he played well or not I expect Nitty would’ve continued to play well in this game.

Nix, while I agree that Frank always plays defense, there was an extra pep in his step today. Last two games he looked like he was just going though the motions. This game he was moving laterally like he did back in December and was shutting his man down. I agree that Frank is a self motivated guy and I am not trying to say he is not going to work hard but human nature is that when the company brings in new competition, people tend to step up their game and I think Frank realized he was not bringing it and that he needed to push harder if he wants to keep his minutes.

Willy on the other hand thought he could half ass himself into the starter. He thought he was locked in. No fam you have to work to keep your spot. He got out worked by Kanter and KOQ.... he still hasn't lessened his lesson because against Brooklyn he let a guy walk by him with the ball and then just stood there and let then hey a layup without even trying to lift his arms. He wants to play he cant do that.

Anyway I'm glad Frank is not cut from the same european cloth Willy is. Jarrett Jack has been playing out of his mind but Frank asnd Burke are about to relieve him of his duties.