Study in contrast
Selected one spot apart, Ntilikina, Smith have wildly different styles
DALLAS — The Knicks are at their lowest ebb — three games under .500 at 18-21, on a 1-7 skid, 3-14 on the road and in 10th place, just 2 ½ games ahead of the Nets.
But if this season is supposed to be about the future, then the future is now. As in Sunday at AmericanAirlines Center in Dallas.
French rookie playmaker Frank Ntilikina vs. Dennis Smith Jr. — the explosive point guard whom ex-Knicks president Phil Jackson foolishly passed up on at No. 8, according to LeBron James.
Smith’s offensive skills jump off the page and out of the gym — a potential triple-double threat (he already posted his first one on Dec. 29 in New Orleans). The 19-yearold Ntilikina is more nuanced with his playmaking, defense and high basketball IQ.
As cool as he’s looked on the court, Ntilikina sorted out his contrasting styles with the N.C. State product.
“I think his offensive skills, he’s known for his offensive skills,’’ Ntilikina said.“Basically, I’m known for my defensive skills. That part of him being aggressive, that’s always interesting to watch. That’s the part I have to explore in my game. Something I can learn and take [from him]. As I said, he’s a great player offensively.’’
Ntilikina’s offensive numbers don’t jump off the page yet and maybe never will, but his metrics in perimeter defense ratings ranks among the top point guards, thanks to a 7-foot wingspan with which Jackson fell in love.
“They’re definitely two different types of players — Dennis has the pick and rolls and he’ll have the stats, Frank a little more defensively [but] it’s hard to measure those things,” coach Jeff Hornacek said. “People always want to compare points. But there’s a lot of other things that go in there. They’re both great players.”
Ntilikina is averaging 5.8 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 rebounds. He’s shooting just 36 percent and 31.4 percent from 3-point land. His hesitancy in penetrating is probably the biggest difference in comparison to Smith.
“It’s something I have to explore and will explore,’’ Ntilikina said of becoming a more dangerous offensive threat.
Who knows what Jackson would have done at No. 8 if Smith had agreed to distribute his medical records, take a physical/measurements upon his trip to New York in June.
Last week, Smith told The Post in New Orleans he was supposed to work out, but things fell apart and only dinner was kept with the Zen Master, then-general manager Steve Mills and Hornacek.
“Something was established — I was going to work out, but just no physicals,’’ said Smith, who tore his ACL in high school. “They kept saying, ‘Let’s get a physical, let’s get a physical.’ It was going back on your word, so I was saying no.”
“I thought he was a good kid,’’ Hornacek said. “He said he never been to Times Square. Had a nice little walk to Times Square. He was bigger than I thought he was. He’s got good size. I don’t know what happened. I came in the next day and all of a sudden he wasn’t working out.’’
With owner Mark Cuban making a trip to Italy to meet Ntilikina, the Mavericks had Ntilikina on their radar but reports after the draft stated Smith was higher on their board.
Ironically, Smith’s weakness is Ntilikina’s strength — defense. Friday in Dallas, Smith got torched by the Bulls’ Kris Dunn for 32 points, drawing coach Rick Carlisle to remark, “They’re picking on Dennis, going at him.’’
Asked if he thought he’d wind up in Dallas, Ntilikina said, “Maybe, yeah. But I’m happy to be a Knick.’’