UK teammate expected Knox to show talents
LAS VEGAS — Clippers point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Knicks forward Kevin Knox were not able to accomplish a goal of bringing another NCAA title to Kentucky. In fact, for the Wildcats, it was something of an underachieving season. They lost to Kansas State in the Sweet 16 after going through a four-game losing streak in February.
But Gilgeous-Alexander and Knox still became lottery picks in the draft last month and the new 6-foot-6 Clippers field general is hardly surprised the 18-year-old Knox has taken Las Vegas by storm. Knox sat out Friday’s summer-league finale against New Orleans, finishing the event averaging 21.3 points and 6.5 rebounds.
“It’s the same Kevin I saw day in and day out, but with the NBA spacing and better players around him,” Gilgeous-Alexander told The Post at Thomas & Mack Center. “It’s only making him better. I expected this from Kevin. I knew he was a really big talent and things like this were going to happen to him.
“Kevin has the ultimate potential. You see it at summer league. He can play multiple positions. I think his game fits today’s NBA.”
Knox’s shooting percentage — after Thursday’s 5-of-20 clunker in an 82-75 loss to the Celtics, when he appeared to hit the summer-league wall — had fallen to 35 percent, but he got to the free-throw line and scored in myriad ways despite defenses loading up on him.
“I would say the biggest thing is getting stronger for Kevin,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He’s so skilled. Obviously a guy being that young, you’re going to need to get stronger. That’s for a lot of rookies in the NBA. Once Kevin gets stronger, you’ll see a different mindset.”
When Kentucky won the SEC, it was Gilgeous-Alexander snaring MVP of the conference tournament with 29 points in the final against Tennessee. Knox scored 18 points in the championship game.
Certainly in Vegas, Knox displayed a killer instinct as the No. 1 option through four summer-league games, even tallying 15 points on a bad day against Boston. Off the court, though, Knox can be less aggressive, according to Gilgeous-Alexander.
“He’s a quiet teammate, but once he gets out of his shell, he’s a funny guy,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He seems quiet at first, but once he gets out of that shell and gets comfortable with you, he’s one of the funniest guys around.”
The Knicks also rested center Luke Kornet in the finale because of a sprained ankle. Slated for the backup center job before Mitchell Robinson’s summer-league breakout, Kornet signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal on July 1, but was healthy for one game.
Knicks scout Clarence Gaines Jr., Phil Jackson’s chief front-office hire, confirmed on Twitter he will not return. The Knicks’ new front office staff let him finish out his contract, which just expired. Gaines wasn’t at summer league and the former Bulls scout is no longer with the Knicks, but he praised president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry.
Gaines was best known for convincing Jackson to draft Kristaps Porzingis and is an astute judge of players who can fit into the triangle. The new brass is looking primarily for athletes over team-oriented players with high basketball IQs.
Gaines tweeted, in part: “The Knicks are on the right path with [Mills, Perry] & Fizdale at the helm. I look forward to the day ‘The Garden’ is rocking with ‘Defense’ chants in the playoffs. Blessed to be a part of Knicks for 4+ years.”
The Knicks haven’t announced it, but their final assistant-coaching hire will be Kaleb Canales, formerly of the Mavericks.