Garden groans for Knox
The runaway hype for rookie lottery pick Kevin Knox was fast, and now he admits he’s playing too fast.
Knox’s preseason has taken a decided downturn, especially in his first two games at the Garden. In his new home, Knox is shooting 8-of-28 with 10 turnovers. That’s not exactly Rookie of the Year-contender numbers.
According to the former Kentucky forward, he’s still mastering the Garden’s environment.
“I’m trying to do too much and go 100 miles per hour,” Knox said after the Knicks suffered their first preseason loss, 110-98, to the Wizards on Monday.
“[David Fizdale] wants me to slow down, play smart and look at the whole court and make the right play. Right now I’m playing so fast and messing things up that I’m trying to do.’’
Against Washington, the 19-year-old Knox shot 2-of-9 for nine points with five turnovers and zero assists in 30 minutes.
On Fr i d ay in the Knicks’ preseason Garden debut against the Pelicans, Knox’s shot was off — recording a 6-of-19 ledger and 0-for-5 from the 3-point stripe along with five turnovers. He logged 34 minutes in that contest and admitted he was gassed from the fast pace played by both clubs.
“The f irst couple of days at Madison Square Garden, so it’s going to be rough a little bit,’’ Knox said. “I’m trying to get adjusted to it, trying to do too much, trying to focus on the little things. [Fizdale] wants me to stay aggressive but play smart and play the right way.”
One of the factors the Knicks considered in taking Knox over either of the two Bridges, Mikal and Miles, at No. 9 was his playing in college basketball’s most charged atmosphere at Kentucky’s Rupp Arena. But the Garden has its own distracting nuances.
“The whole arena, the backdrop, the environment, the people. I’m trying to get used to that environment,” Knox said. “Once we start playing more games, it should be better.”
Even in July’s Las Vegas summer league, Knox’s shooting percentage (35 percent) was low in his four outings, but his efficiency spiked because of the number of times he attacked the basket and got to the free-throw line thanks to a quick first step, reminiscent of Kevin Durant. That’s not really happening now that October is here.
After a nice start to the preseason, Knox’s shooting percentage stands at .349. He’s shooting 17.6 percent from 3 and averaging 10.2 points per game.
“I’m getting a lot of open shots I’m not knocking down right now,’’ Knox said. “Like I tell myself, you got to keep shooting, they’ll fall eventually.”
All the national buzz Knox created at the summer league could have created unrealistic expectations for a ninth pick.
“I’m not worried about no pressure,” Knox said. “It’s just media talk. First couple of games at Madison Square Garden, I got to get used to it, to the environment and adapt to the NBA game. There’s no pressure at all. I’m trying to do too much and slow down a bit.’’
Despite the slump, he’s all but assured of starting at small forward. If Courtney Lee (neck) were healthy, there may have been a battle. Fizdale could go with a trio of Trey Burke, Frank Ntilikina and Tim Hardaway Jr., but that would only serve to knock down Knox’s confidence. Instead, the high minutes will be there, and he claims he’s not wearing down, but enjoying them.