SHOW SOME FIGHT
Knox says young Knicks still battling for starting position
Kevin Knox II revealed that the Knicks’ recent voluntary scrimmages have been so fiercely contested, coach David Fizdale has told his group no starters have been determined.
At an event marking the release of Knicks legend Walt Frazier’s new PUMA shoe Monday night in Midtown, Knox said he senses a whole new “tenacity” during the workouts being held mostly at Columbia. (The Knicks training facility is under renovation and is scheduled to be ready when training camp starts Sept. 30.)
With seven new free-agent signees, Knox reiterated what he said during the summer league: He’s no lock to return as starting small forward. Veteran Marcus Morris is his main challenger.
“Very competitive practices so far,’’ Knox said. “You can tell all the guys are hungry and looking forward to training camp. A lot of guys have been impressive. You can tell a lot of guys have been working on their games all summer. I watched a lot those guys playing on TV last year. Everyone’s game has gotten a lot better. I can’t wait to get to training camp and jell together.”
The Knicks are coming off a 17-65 season — tied for the franchise’s worst record. Knox sees “a totally different team than last year.’’ The club is bonding and Knox, according to a source, was headed to the Jets-Browns game with several teammates following the event.
“We just got guys now who are going out, playing hard, talking trash,’’ Knox said of the workouts that began in late August. “We’re a family, smile with each other after, but between the lines, it’s a totally different team than last year. You can definitely tell — the whole tenacity we’re playing with. It’s definitely going to carry over to the season. We have a lot of guys going after each other. That’s what we want.”
Their marquee signing, Julius Randle, is the strong favorite to start at power forward. Mitchell Robinson, who hurt his knee during Team USA scrimmages in early August, figures to have the nod at center.
After that, it’s a crapshoot. Frazier, joined on stage by the Knicks’ last two lottery picks, Knox (2018) and RJ Barrett (2019), noted he liked the free-agent haul so much, neither Knox or Barrett may start.
“I’m very excited. It’s going to be great for us,’’ said Knox, who averaged 12.8 points his rookie year but shot just 37 percent. “Nobody’s guaranteed no starting lineup, no minutes, none of that. Fiz voiced that. Everyone’s got to earn their minutes and position.”
Fizdale has not spoken publicly since the June 21 press conference for Barrett, the No. 3 pick in the draft. When asked about the workouts, Barrett said, “We got dogs.’’
While Barrett repeated his goal of competing for rookie of the year honors and being invited to All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars challenge, he may want to try toning down expectations. The 19year-old shooting guard may know his playing time is not a given. His game raised red flags at the summer league as he shot 33.8 percent (24 percent from 3).
“It’s hype and just talk,’’ Barrett said. “I am a rookie. I have to come in and pay my dues. People come in and gas it all up. That’s not what it is. If I give my all, there’s nothing more I can do.’’
Knox is more of a sure thing for the 2019-20 campaign. Many basketball insiders feel he can make a big jump from a roller-coaster rookie year.
Frazier noted Knox’s stronger upper body. The 6-foot-9 forward admitted it should make him more lethal on forays to the basket.
“That’s one of the things I took away from my rookie season,’’ Knox said. “The physicality down in the paint driving to the basket. It’s something I knew I had to work on in the summer — getting stronger in the upper and lower body. I think it’s definitely going to help my second year. Taking more contact, finishing through contact. I now have the strength to do all that.”
Asked what he has improved upon since his strong finish at summer league, Barrett said, “You’ll have to wait. Wait and see how I use it.’’
Barrett seems like he can’t wait to make summer league a memory. The Knicks first preseason game is Oct. 7 in Washington.
“The game is what creates all this,’’ Barrett said of Monday night’s event. “I’m a basketball player. I haven’t played a game since summer league. As a basketball player, I always want to play. I just can’t wait for the season to start.”