KNOX ROCKS
KNICKS ROOKIE A HIT IN SUMMER DEBUT
LAS VEGAS — Kevin Knox’s 8for-20 shooting line doesn’t tell the whole tale of a summerleague debut filled with rocking rims and an ocean of promise for the Knicks’ 2018 lottery pick.
Though Knox struggled with his 3-point shot, the 18-year-old put up 22 points and eight rebounds. He showed he can take it hard and often to the basket and sky above the rim for highlight dunks.
Knox’s 3-point shot was off (he went 1-for-7), but his launches looked soft as the Knicks beat the Hawks, 91-89, at Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday amid a whirl of rare optimism.
“I thought it went really well, totally different from college, fast- paced, a lot of 3s,’’ Knox said afterward. “It was real fun. That’s what the coaches told me from the jump, to attack the basket and get to the free-throw line.”
The forward out of Kentucky scored seven points in the game’s first six minutes, including his first NBA-sponsored points being a coast-to-coast tomahawk smash after he missed his first two shots.
“There were a lot of nerves before the game, but the veteran guys told me to keep playing,’’ Knox said. “I got my first dunk and the jitters went away. I saw a fastbreak, I knew could get past them. I got to the free-throw line and took my step. It was a great first points of the NBA. A monster dunk, the crowd loved it.”
What made the day even more bright was the fact the Knicks’ other draft pick, project center Mitchell Robinson, looked like he may turn into a defensive menace after he played in his first game in 14 months.
After sitting out college to train for the NBA, the 7-foot Robinson, selected at No. 36, scored nine points with eight rebounds on a 4-for-8 shooting ledger and added four blocks.
Knicks second-year guard Frank Ntilikina played very much like his rookie season: all defense, not much aggressiveness on offense. He scored five points (going 2-for-7 from the field) with five assists and three turnovers, and he was rugged defensively against Atlanta rookie Trae Young.
Knox’s first stint of six minutes were truly impressive. He showed an attack-the-rim, athletic game and proved he is unafraid to launch.
“He put the ball on the floor and got to the rim. That’s not what he did in college,’’ one NBAscout said.
Knicks coach David Fizdale said Knox showed how “super agile’’ he is.
“Super mature man,’’ Fizdale said. “Very comfortable with himself and his game, knows his game, understands at a young age how to get to his spots and find his shot. We’re going to mix it up with him and try to utilize every bit of his skill-set.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari was in the stands.
“In Kentucky, I was on the baseline and here I’m at the top to be able to make different reads,’’ Knox said. “Cal did a great job and Fiz is doing a great job. I’m
versatile, so it’s easy for me to play any type of game. Fiz wants me to handle the ball a lot, get rebounds and push it.”
And his teammates were finding him. Ntilikina hit Knox perfectly for a bounce pass punctuated by a soaring tomahawk. Damyean Dotson connected from midcourt with Knox, who finished with a perfect alley-oop slam.
At some point in the 2018-19 season, the 6-foot-9 Knox and 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis will be paired as forwards.
“That’s lot of length,’’ Fizdale said. “You’ll be tired of hearing me talk about it. I see they will complement each other very well. That’s not a bad pick-androll to run: a KK-Porzingis pickand-roll.’’
Knox committed two turnovers, including traveling and stepping on the baseline, but Fizdale said he felt his defensive presence was strong.
“He competed defensively,’’ Fizdale said. “He let the game come to him while staying aggressive. He never looked like he was pressed but was still in attack mode and picked his spots well.”
Knox’s 3-point shot didn’t drop, but he said he feels they will Sunday when the Knicks face the Jazz.
“They all looked good,’’ Knox said. “I know it’s going to go in the next couple of games. Every single one of the shots they looked really well. I’m going to keep shooting.”