Forget the notion that 18-year-old Kevin Knox’s rookie season will be spent as a reserve. Knicks coach David Fizdale said he has confidence the second-youngest player in the draft can crack the Knicks starting lineup at small forward.

In rave reviews about the Knicks’ first-round pick selected at No. 9 Thursday, Fizdale said the 6-foot-9 Knox “literally checked every box for us.” The coach also made a Jayson Tatum comparison, echoing Knox’s college coach, John Calipari.

“Yeah, I’m looking at our roster right now – absolutely,’’ Fizdale said at Knox’s introductory press conference Friday at their Tarrytown headquarters.

“Who’s our starting 3? Any of you guys know to tell me? They’re (Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee) both 6-5 and he’s got to guard LeBron (James) and (Kevin) Durant. Those are the threes in our league. It’s very good opportunity there for him to start.”

Fizdale tried to smash any notion the Knicks took a risk or were being patient in taking the less-proven Knox over Villanova junior small forward Mikal Bridges. Knox had an up-and-down freshman year at Kentucky in which he struggled most defensively. Calipari mentioned how Tatum wasn’t a star at Duke but became a Rookie of the Year candidate in Boston. Knox is the youngest Knicks draft pick since Maciej Lampe in 2003.

“I think he’ll be productive right away,’’ Fizdale said of Knox. “His body of work, his skill set says it and fits and translates. He can shoot the ball, finish well around the rim. He runs the floor well. He knows how to get to spots. Guys who are natural scorers, that stuff translates.

“We all like how that kid is looking in Boston now (Tatum). I’m not putting that pressure on this kid to be him. But it just does when you have that skill set at that height, that athleticism. I see him being a very productive player (as a rookie).’’

As a rookie, Frank Ntilikina only started seven games late in the season and only at shooting guard. Fizdale said he subscribes to the trial-by-fire method.

“I’ll put him at any position, anywhere on the floor,’’ Fizdale said.

Though Fizdale never saw any college games this season, the new coach pushed hard for Knox after his 3-on-3 workout nearly two weeks ago in which he got the better of Miles Bridges. Knicks president Steve Mills reiterated Knox’s that willingness to do a 3-on-3 group workout showed his confidence. (Mikal Bridges agreed only to a solo workout).
Fizdale said he was shocked how much his ballhandling had improved since his college season ended.

“He really responded well to the physicality,’’ Fizdale said of the workout that contributed to his rising on the Knicks’ board. “That was the best workout of all the workouts we had. Talk about physical guys hitting the floor. No one was giving an inch in that workout. The fact he shined in that workout says a lot.’’

Fizdale was hired partly because of his reputation at developing young players as the Knicks rebuild. He’ll have his work cut out for him with Ntilikina, their new second-round project center Mitchell Robinson, who never played in college, Damyean Dotson, and Kristaps Porzingis, when he returns from his ACL surgery, possibly by Christmas.

Knicks brass had full confidence in Fizdale to work with a young player such as Knox. Fizdale said he did his best work with young players in Miami after the Dream Team broke up with Justise Winslow, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson and Hasaan Whiteside.

“That’s where this league is at anyway — doesn’t matter who we’d take at 9,’’ Fizdale said. “Whoever it was it would take a lot of development and mentors, off the court growth.’’

Vmart wrote:Fizdale is going to do what got the guy before him got canned for. Hell yeah Knox should start from the beginning. Something they didn’t do for Ntlikina didn’t really play Dotson until few weeks before the end. If the mantra is “We’re young” then sure as hell better start playing the young players.

Hornacek didnt rush a 19 year rookie with no US experience, playing PG for the time. Gave him consistent minutes, sometimes to a fault.

Hornacek got his share of things wrong. Throwing Frank to the wolves, running him into the ground wasnt one of them.

Posters harp on the efficiency of other players, Hornacek was very patient with Frank, his rookie year in spite of all the turnovers. Lots of coaches would have buried Frank on the bench because of his lack of offense.

WaltLongmire wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/1010249204319576064

GustavBahler wrote:

Vmart wrote:Fizdale is going to do what got the guy before him got canned for. Hell yeah Knox should start from the beginning. Something they didn’t do for Ntlikina didn’t really play Dotson until few weeks before the end. If the mantra is “We’re young” then sure as hell better start playing the young players.

Hornacek didnt rush a 19 year rookie with no US experience, playing PG for the time. Gave him consistent minutes, sometimes to a fault.

Hornacek got his share of things wrong. Throwing Frank to the wolves, running him into the ground wasnt one of them.

Posters harp on the efficiency of other players, Hornacek was very patient with Frank, his rookie year in spite of all the turnovers. Lots of coaches would have buried Frank on the bench because of his lack of offense.

The smart coaches would have played him for his defense and known that the team is going nowhere and pushed young players for experience and find out if there something in the young players. All JH did was create more unknown situation going into the next year.

That statement interested me since that was one of the knocks on Knox.

CrushAlot wrote:

Vmart wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Vmart wrote:Fizdale is going to do what got the guy before him got canned for. Hell yeah Knox should start from the beginning. Something they didn’t do for Ntlikina didn’t really play Dotson until few weeks before the end. If the mantra is “We’re young” then sure as hell better start playing the young players.

Hornacek didnt rush a 19 year rookie with no US experience, playing PG for the time. Gave him consistent minutes, sometimes to a fault.

Hornacek got his share of things wrong. Throwing Frank to the wolves, running him into the ground wasnt one of them.

Posters harp on the efficiency of other players, Hornacek was very patient with Frank, his rookie year in spite of all the turnovers. Lots of coaches would have buried Frank on the bench because of his lack of offense.

The smart coaches would have played him for his defense and known that the team is going nowhere and pushed young players for experience and find out if there something in the young players. All JH did was create more unknown situation going into the next year.

Frank had to have his minutes reduced because he was tired. Not sure why you keep posting he needed more minutes.

It was Porzingis who claimed to be tired, not Frankie.

Everything Fizdale says is open to lots of spin. I hope what he says is not a back-handed slap at Horny. Putting down the people you replace doesn't make you superior.

Its easy to crow about playing nothing but rookies and quite another thing when vets and agents refuse to sign because their career isn't being served from sitting on benches.

By all means develop the kids but let's not get stupid about it.

CrushAlot wrote:

fwk00 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

Vmart wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

Vmart wrote:Fizdale is going to do what got the guy before him got canned for. Hell yeah Knox should start from the beginning. Something they didn’t do for Ntlikina didn’t really play Dotson until few weeks before the end. If the mantra is “We’re young” then sure as hell better start playing the young players.

Hornacek didnt rush a 19 year rookie with no US experience, playing PG for the time. Gave him consistent minutes, sometimes to a fault.

Hornacek got his share of things wrong. Throwing Frank to the wolves, running him into the ground wasnt one of them.

Posters harp on the efficiency of other players, Hornacek was very patient with Frank, his rookie year in spite of all the turnovers. Lots of coaches would have buried Frank on the bench because of his lack of offense.

The smart coaches would have played him for his defense and known that the team is going nowhere and pushed young players for experience and find out if there something in the young players. All JH did was create more unknown situation going into the next year.

Frank had to have his minutes reduced because he was tired. Not sure why you keep posting he needed more minutes.

It was Porzingis who claimed to be tired, not Frankie.

Everything Fizdale says is open to lots of spin. I hope what he says is not a back-handed slap at Horny. Putting down the people you replace doesn't make you superior.

Its easy to crow about playing nothing but rookies and quite another thing when vets and agents refuse to sign because their career isn't being served from sitting on benches.

By all means develop the kids but let's not get stupid about it.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/966409199482736640

Frank played 78 games and 22 mpg. He actually handled his rookie season pretty well given his level of conditioning. Very excited to see how Frank responds next season.

reub wrote:Fiz is pumping up the kids. I like it. Keep it up.

Agreed