How Thib’s players are trending heading into season
outside shot.
ALEC BURKS
Stock: Steady
Missed the final two games because his wife gave birth to a baby boy, but, when Burks played, he lived up to his reputation as a reliable presence and shooter. I’d peg him as a favorite to start Game 1.
KEVIN KNOX
Stock: Up
Knox was brutal in the Detroit games but emerged as a top player in the victories over Cleveland. Thibodeau has been pumping up Knox’s offseason work, and it was on display when the forward dropped a combined 36 points on 12 of 18 shooting on Wednesday and Friday.
NERLENS NOEL
Stock: Steady
Noel was good enough in preseason, especially the first game. He entered the preseason as the clear starting center but sat the final two games as Mitchell Robinson emerged with strong efforts. Noel and Robinson can’t play together. It’ll be one or the other.
FRANK NTILIKINA
Stock: Down
Ntilikina seems to always pick up nagging injuries and that happened again with a sore Achilles that kept him out of the final two games. The Frenchman wasn’t good the two games he played, averaging just 0.5 assists and 2.5 turnovers with five points. His future is off the ball and the Knicks have enough options where Ntilikina could easily be out of the rotation.
ELFRID PAYTON
Stock: Down
Was the starting point guard in the first three games but the Knicks were more effective with Immanuel Quickley running the show. Payton remains who he’s always been: good passer, good rebounder, poor shooter.
IMMANUEL QUICKLEY
Stock: Up
Emerged in the final two games with confidence and poise, steering the Knicks’ best moments of the preseason. The competition was weak and the sample is small, but Quickley demonstrated the awareness and skills of a real deal NBA point guard. We’ll see if he’s rewarded in the regular season. “He’s earning his way,” Thibodeau said.
JULIUS RANDLE
Stock: Steady
There were flashbacks of Randle trying to do too much, and hopefully Thibodeau convinces the 26-yearold that point-forward is not his game. But he appeared in good shape and was productive while averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 assists in 28.5 minutes.
AUSTIN RIVERS
Stock: Down
Suffered a groin injury and didn’t participate in preseason games or practices. Stock is down just off inactivity. Unlike most of the Knicks, however, Rivers played meaningful games in the last nine months as a member of the Rockets.
MITCHELL ROBINSON
Stock: Up Considering Robinson’s ugly start to preseason, perhaps we’re giving too much credence to his final five quarters — especially since Cleveland’s Andre Drummond wasn’t playing. But Robinson was great. He severely outplayed JaVale
McGee on Friday while grabbing 12 rebounds with four blocks and zero fouls in 27 minutes.
DENNIS SMITH JR.
Stock: Down
Had some strong moments defensively but has struggled to shoot and set up the offense. It seemed like Thibodeau wanted to give him a real shot at point guard, but Smith Jr. didn’t capitalize. Then he sat the final game with a small injury.
OMARI SPELLMAN
Stock: Down
Played less than five scoreless minutes and didn’t appear in good physical condition. Since the Knicks cut Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the Knicks Spellman appears to have earned a roster spot.
OBI TOPPIN
Stock: Steady
Arrived with hype and showed flashes but never found consistency in preseason. The biggest issue was the outside shot, as Toppin missed 10 of his 11 3-point attempts (and most weren’t close). He played hard and soared for a couple dunks, but didn’t assert himself as a contender for a starting spot.