Parker, who recently retired from basketball, was drafted 28th and won four titles with the San Antonio Spurs. He became an idol to Ntilikina, whose NBA career has been slow off the ground after he was picked by the Knicks in 2017. Ntilikina, 22, is averaging six points for his career and will become a free agent after the season. His highlight from the last three years was with the French national team in the FIBA World Cup, when Ntilikina helped France upset the U.S. and win the bronze medal.

Ntilikina has called Parker “the best French player in history” and sought his advice after entering the NBA. Parker has always been complimentary of Ntilikina’s potential.

“He’s got the right skills to be good in this league,’' Parker said in 2017. “He’s a great defender, got length. That’s always good to be good defensively early. Offensively it will come. It’s his first year. He needs to go around the league one time and get used to all the point guards. I think he’s got all the right stuff. I don’t know if New York will be patient.’'
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-tony-parker-frank-ntilikina-20201210-rsiyzlimzbgpdabqr6s7v5r7zy-story.html#ed%3Drss_www.nydailynews.com/arcio/rss/category/sports/

houston20 wrote:Tony parker should understand this there weren't great point guard in front of frank and he could beat those guys out of starting spot. Frank couldn't beat out mudiay,burke,jack,session,payton,dsj, or kadeem allen not superstar point guards.

Good points, and Parker was never shy about getting to the rim.

Nalod wrote:Tony speaks he truth.

Kinda hurt lol

ekstarks94 wrote:Fact is that the the driver behind drafting him got canned....if Phil stuck around they would have forced fed Frank and not have these rethread guards play over him...

2 reasons why that wouldnt work. Frank's conditioning. Because of a recurring groin injury. Which he had been dealing with, since before he got drafted. I know from experience, you cant push through that type of injury. Why he missed so many games because of it, over his career.

The other reason (as houston20 pointed out) being Frank's game. You cant keep starting someone who is getting outplayed by almost everyone. Frank's offense had a long way to go, and he was literally passing the ball to his defender. Not turning it over, trying to thread the needle.

Dont believe its controversial to say that Frank was drafted too soon. Needed more seasoning in Europe. Needed to wait until he had the makings of an offense. Frank may have an offense now. Wont know until he can do more than string a few good games together.

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

houston20 wrote:Tony parker should understand this there weren't great point guard in front of frank and he could beat those guys out of starting spot. Frank couldn't beat out mudiay,burke,jack,session,payton,dsj, or kadeem allen not superstar point guards.

Good points, and Parker was never shy about getting to the rim.

Very disingenuous list and logic around Frank not being able to beat those guys out.

Frank lacked the speed, ball handling and physical maturity to get to the rim on a consistent basis. As those areas improved so has his attacks at the rim. Granted still probably not at the level needed. We will see what Frank brings to the table in this do or die season. Parker had elite speed especially in the early 2000s. Him getting to the rim was pretty much his whole game. He never became a good outside shooter.

You're focusing on quality over quantity. When you're getting to the rim at a good clip, its important. When you are barely driving to the rim, at all. Quantity becomes more important. Those other PGs were getting to the rim, getting to the line. Frank would go weeks without a trip to the line.

We can keep guessing. For all we know Frank is locked in to a nice long Knick career or just a call way from needing a ride to the airport. He has survived three administrations and now. His 4th coach. Smith can join in that convo.
Its not a matter of whose fault it is, it is what it is.
Thibs might be just treading water until he is traded. We have a lot of picks coming in the next few years and there is new rule/order. Get these guys fixed and either play them or get them as better trade assets. I don’t give a rats ass if they were meant for a triangle, a square or a circle jerk. There are many ways to elevate talent besides free agency.

GustavBahler wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

houston20 wrote:Tony parker should understand this there weren't great point guard in front of frank and he could beat those guys out of starting spot. Frank couldn't beat out mudiay,burke,jack,session,payton,dsj, or kadeem allen not superstar point guards.

Good points, and Parker was never shy about getting to the rim.

Very disingenuous list and logic around Frank not being able to beat those guys out.

Frank lacked the speed, ball handling and physical maturity to get to the rim on a consistent basis. As those areas improved so has his attacks at the rim. Granted still probably not at the level needed. We will see what Frank brings to the table in this do or die season. Parker had elite speed especially in the early 2000s. Him getting to the rim was pretty much his whole game. He never became a good outside shooter.

You're focusing on quality over quantity. When you're getting to the rim at a good clip, its important. When you are barely driving to the rim, at all. Quantity becomes more important. Those other PGs were getting to the rim, getting to the line. Frank would go weeks without a trip to the line.

He would have looked like how Kevin Knox did when driving these past 2 yrs. Running into traffic and throwing up hot garbage at times with low success rates. Both of them need to get what they do well to a level where it’s consistent. And then expand from there.

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

houston20 wrote:Tony parker should understand this there weren't great point guard in front of frank and he could beat those guys out of starting spot. Frank couldn't beat out mudiay,burke,jack,session,payton,dsj, or kadeem allen not superstar point guards.

Good points, and Parker was never shy about getting to the rim.

Very disingenuous list and logic around Frank not being able to beat those guys out.

Frank lacked the speed, ball handling and physical maturity to get to the rim on a consistent basis. As those areas improved so has his attacks at the rim. Granted still probably not at the level needed. We will see what Frank brings to the table in this do or die season. Parker had elite speed especially in the early 2000s. Him getting to the rim was pretty much his whole game. He never became a good outside shooter.

You're focusing on quality over quantity. When you're getting to the rim at a good clip, its important. When you are barely driving to the rim, at all. Quantity becomes more important. Those other PGs were getting to the rim, getting to the line. Frank would go weeks without a trip to the line.

He would have looked like how Kevin Knox did when driving these past 2 yrs. Running into traffic and throwing up hot garbage at times with low success rates. Both of them need to get what they do well to a level where it’s consistent. And then expand from there.

The "garbage" was hot enough to be named rookie of the month. So Knox was on the right track. The team was clearly headed for the lotto. No stars on the team. Knox was given the green light, and he took advantage of it.

Frank has been given the green light to drive more by all of his coaches, and respected NBA vets. I reject the notion that Frank was right to avoid looking like "hot garbage" out there. If you dont have an NBA ready offense, its unavoidable. If the goal is to be NBA ready.

You dont suddenly decide its time to be more aggressive, when you have the complete game. Its trial, and sometimes a lot of error. Frank wants to take his game to the next level, he has to stop worrying about getting his shot swatted.

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

houston20 wrote:Tony parker should understand this there weren't great point guard in front of frank and he could beat those guys out of starting spot. Frank couldn't beat out mudiay,burke,jack,session,payton,dsj, or kadeem allen not superstar point guards.

Good points, and Parker was never shy about getting to the rim.

Very disingenuous list and logic around Frank not being able to beat those guys out.

Frank lacked the speed, ball handling and physical maturity to get to the rim on a consistent basis. As those areas improved so has his attacks at the rim. Granted still probably not at the level needed. We will see what Frank brings to the table in this do or die season. Parker had elite speed especially in the early 2000s. Him getting to the rim was pretty much his whole game. He never became a good outside shooter.

You're focusing on quality over quantity. When you're getting to the rim at a good clip, its important. When you are barely driving to the rim, at all. Quantity becomes more important. Those other PGs were getting to the rim, getting to the line. Frank would go weeks without a trip to the line.

He would have looked like how Kevin Knox did when driving these past 2 yrs. Running into traffic and throwing up hot garbage at times with low success rates. Both of them need to get what they do well to a level where it’s consistent. And then expand from there.

The "garbage" was hot enough to be named rookie of the month. So Knox was on the right track. The team was clearly headed for the lotto. No stars on the team. Knox was given the green light, and he took advantage of it.

Frank has been given the green light to drive more by all of his coaches, and respected NBA vets. I reject the notion that Frank was right to avoid looking like "hot garbage" out there. If you dont have an NBA ready offense, its unavoidable. If the goal is to be NBA ready.

You dont suddenly decide its time to be more aggressive, when you have the complete game. Its trial, and sometimes a lot of error. Frank wants to take his game to the next level, he has to stop worrying about getting his shot swatted.

Knox was given the green light and then the next coach once the previous one got fired doesn’t tolerate mindless drives to the basket. He then starts to end up getting benched and his time gets reduced while his efficiency plummets. Frank on the other hand dropped his first 20pt-10ast game before the season ended for Covid. Was putting up 9.5pts per game to being the month. Started increasing his FT attempts and was netting steady efficiency. Hopefully he was able to build on that going into this season. And hopefully Knox developed either the craft to finish in traffic or the better understanding on when to attack and when not to.

Unfair to characterize all of Knox's unsuccessful drives as "mindless". Knox's footwork wasnt there. Lots of good players go through sophomore slumps, especially with no reliable PG (cough,cough) to run the offense.

Knox has shown more game, warts and all, than Frank has, in less time. Played more games where he looked like a starter. Better runs as a shooter, 3pt shooter. Frank is where he is in large part because of an aversion to risk.

GustavBahler wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

GustavBahler wrote:

houston20 wrote:Tony parker should understand this there weren't great point guard in front of frank and he could beat those guys out of starting spot. Frank couldn't beat out mudiay,burke,jack,session,payton,dsj, or kadeem allen not superstar point guards.

Good points, and Parker was never shy about getting to the rim.

Very disingenuous list and logic around Frank not being able to beat those guys out.

Frank lacked the speed, ball handling and physical maturity to get to the rim on a consistent basis. As those areas improved so has his attacks at the rim. Granted still probably not at the level needed. We will see what Frank brings to the table in this do or die season. Parker had elite speed especially in the early 2000s. Him getting to the rim was pretty much his whole game. He never became a good outside shooter.

You're focusing on quality over quantity. When you're getting to the rim at a good clip, its important. When you are barely driving to the rim, at all. Quantity becomes more important. Those other PGs were getting to the rim, getting to the line. Frank would go weeks without a trip to the line.

He would have looked like how Kevin Knox did when driving these past 2 yrs. Running into traffic and throwing up hot garbage at times with low success rates. Both of them need to get what they do well to a level where it’s consistent. And then expand from there.

The "garbage" was hot enough to be named rookie of the month. So Knox was on the right track. The team was clearly headed for the lotto. No stars on the team. Knox was given the green light, and he took advantage of it.

Frank has been given the green light to drive more by all of his coaches, and respected NBA vets. I reject the notion that Frank was right to avoid looking like "hot garbage" out there. If you dont have an NBA ready offense, its unavoidable. If the goal is to be NBA ready.

You dont suddenly decide its time to be more aggressive, when you have the complete game. Its trial, and sometimes a lot of error. Frank wants to take his game to the next level, he has to stop worrying about getting his shot swatted.

Knox was given the green light and then the next coach once the previous one got fired doesn’t tolerate mindless drives to the basket. He then starts to end up getting benched and his time gets reduced while his efficiency plummets. Frank on the other hand dropped his first 20pt-10ast game before the season ended for Covid. Was putting up 9.5pts per game to being the month. Started increasing his FT attempts and was netting steady efficiency. Hopefully he was able to build on that going into this season. And hopefully Knox developed either the craft to finish in traffic or the better understanding on when to attack and when not to.

Unfair to characterize all of Knox's unsuccessful drives as "mindless". Knox's footwork wasnt there. Lots of good players go through sophomore slumps, especially with no reliable PG (cough,cough) to run the offense.

Knox has shown more game, warts and all, than Frank has, in less time. Played more games where he looked like a starter. Better runs as a shooter, 3pt shooter. Frank is where he is in large part because of an aversion to risk.

Sophomore slump isn’t the type of drop off Knox had last season. He was rapidly declining in Iq and confidence. But I don’t even wanna be overly critical of him. I wanna chalk it up to Fiz being a terrible coach. Probably for allowing him to play bball like he had no IQ. When Knox shown in college that he looked his best moving around off the ball for nice catch and shoot opportunities. Which once the defense starts to overplay would open up his drives.

We have seen Frank be a major catalysts for big wins for his work on both sides of the ball and on opponents best offensive weapons. Like vs Dallas twice and vs Houston. Maybe they have happen but none come to mind for Knox ever being a major catalyst for a win.

That’s Frank’s potential and that’s what hopefully can be honed into something consistent. Or he can be an enigma.