Rookie Lesson
Seesaw season continues for MSG fans’ dream pick Monk … who stars in defeat
Maybe the Knicks should have drafted Malik Monk after all.
He certainly looked at home at the Garden on Tuesday night.
Monk, the former one-and-done Kentucky star some fans had hoped the Knicks would draft last June, enjoyed one of his best performances as a pro, scoring 21 points in the Hornets’ 118-113 loss.
“He looked like he was back at Kentucky,” Knicks forward Kyle O’Quinn said. “He has a lot of confidence coming into the building.”
When the Knicks were on the clock during the draft, Monk thought he would have a future at the Garden. He had a good workout with the team, and was told he would be given serious consideration if he were available when they selected with the eighth overall pick.
Instead, they went with Frank Ntilikina, who has been impressive after missing most of the preseason with a bruised right knee. The two faced off for the first time Tuesday, and while Monk delivered plenty of “wow” moments, Ntilikina got the win. He notched a career-high eight assists and playing stellar defense in the fourth quarter during the Knicks’ comeback.
The two have dealt with similar issues. Both missed the entire NBA summer league with injuries, and both started slowly this season as a result. Monk has shown progress, averaging 9.9 points and 2.3 assists while shooting just 35 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3point range in 21.9 minutes per game. After a strong preseason, in which Monk averaged 15.6 points per game, he has been inconsistent, producing a few big performances, but following them up with duds.
“He’s learning the NBA game. It’s a big adjustment,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. “I know his numbers aren’t very good, but his progress has been there.”
Monk followed a career-high 25 points in a win over the Bucks on Nov. 1, with a combined eight points in a pair of losses to the Spurs and Timberwolves, before playing well against the Knicks. He hit five 3-pointers Tuesday and made 8-of-17 shots overall. Learning to play defense at an NBA level after spending just one year in college has been the biggest challenge for Monk.
“The defensive coverages, there’s a lot of them. You got to get them fast if you want to be on the court,” he said. “If you’re a rookie coming into the league, trying to learn defense, it’s the hard part. You’re playing against all grown men. They all know what to do, they all know their open spots. You got to be there too when they’re there.”
Monk isn’t necessarily disappointed by his season so far, considering he missed three months this summer. He’s learning the game, and has enjoyed some big moments. His confidence hasn’t changed.
He has impressed Clifford with his passing ability and work in the pick and roll. It is why he believes his future isn’t off the ball, but at point guard.
“We just got to give him time and be patient,” Clifford said.