CATCH A Ntilikina is budding before our eyes RISING STAR
David Fizdale said it was about two weeks ago when Frank Ntilikina, the soft-spoken point guard, walked into his office. “He just said, ‘Coach, I’ve been through a lot in my two years,’” Fizdale recalled. “’I feel like I finally understand what the NBA is about. I know I haven’t shown it yet, but I’m a dog, too.’”
That moment hadn’t come easily for Ntilikina. He spent much of his first two NBA seasons either injured, benched or a disappointment. The eighth overall pick lacked aggression and comfort on the court, as if he were the new student finding his place in a cliquey middle school.
But the 21-year-old had a lot of time to ponder his NBA existence while missing the second half of last season due to injury. That reflection — and self-improvement — extended through an encouraging summer when Ntilikina helped France to a bronze medal in the World Cup.
Now benefiting from his most consistent playing time in the NBA, Ntilikina has shown an edge and enthusiasm to replace the hesitancy. It was clear in those two wins over Dallas over the last week, with Ntilikina ratcheting up his fourth-quarter defensive intensity to the levels of Patrick Beverly.
Ntilikina was, as he informed his coach, a dog.
“Just I think the work I put in all summer and even last season while I was injured, allows me to be more comfortable and everything else in life be more comfortable here in this country, this situation as an NBA player. And everything is set now,” Ntilikina said. “So my mind is all the way into basketball and do what it takes to get to the next level. So I think that was the mindset – just get to the next level. And how could I get to the next level? By being a dog, by asking questions, knowing where can I get better, how can I be a better player, how can I bring a lot to a lot to the team.”
Ntilikina was an 18year-old from a small town in France when he was picked by the Knicks. Within a couple weeks, the team president who drafted him — Phil Jackson — was canned. Ntilikina missed his first Summer League with an injury. He was benched. He was overlooked. He was floated as a trade chip. That’s a lot to digest.
Through it all, Ntilikina has maintained a long-term perspective, which is commendable, but it felt he lacked the assertiveness or personality to match the potential. Lately, it’s been different: he tried to dunk on Kristaps Porzingis, he’s barking louder at the referees and selling himself to Fizdale.
Ntilikina is still inconsistent offensively and probably better suited for the two-guard on that side of the floor, but being a dog defensively is where he’ll make his mark in New York.
“Him coming into my office, saying that was a big step forward from a maturity standpoint,” Fizdale said. “Him saying, ‘This is what I really want.’”