East on down the road
Knox sees path to playoffs for Knicks
Kevin Knox has already imagined what many view as unlikely. The new Knicks wing isn’t looking at his rookie year as merely a developmental season. He’s thinking playoffs. “In the West, you need about 50 [wins],” Knox, the ninth pick in the draft out of Kentucky, said on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday. “In the East, you can get around the 35-37 range and be able to make the playoffs.”
A year ago, the Knicks won 29 games, the same figure the oddsmakers in Las Vegas have picked them to win next season. It remains uncertain when Kristaps Porzingis will return from a torn ACL, making it seem like a long shot for them to be a postseason team. But the 6-foot-9 Knox is thinking big.
“If we can get to the playoffs, that’s something New York hasn’t done in a while, so I feel like if we can win, get in the playoffs, the Garden’s going to be crazy,” he said.
Knox and Porzingis have begun to build a relationship. They’ve FaceTimed several times.
“He asked the same thing you asked: ‘Are you ready?’ ” Knox said. “He knows there’s a lot of pressure, but he’s really looking forward to playing with me. I’m looking forward to playing with him. So I’m ready to get in the gym with him and connect with each other.”
Knox made an immediate impression in the NBA summer league, averaging 21.3 points per game, wowing with his athleticism and length. First-year Knicks coach David Fizdale has said he wouldn’t hesitate starting the youngster, and loves his versatility.
“I can play really pretty much anywhere on the court,” Knox said. “I think Fizdale’s going to use me pretty much everywhere. Defensively, I think I’m very versatile, I can guard different positions. Offensively, I can play different positions. Like I said, I think Fizdale’s going to have me everywhere.
“He wants me to stay in attack mode. He wants me to be really aggressive on the offensive end, be able to make plays for my teammates. On defense, be able to guard the best player on the team. That’s a big responsibility for me to take, but I’m really looking forward to it.”