5 New York Knicks 2018 Summer TrueFan Takes
5
New York Knicks 2018 SummerTime TrueFan Takeways
Written
By Kyle Crabbe
Twitter:
@KthetruestKnick
1)
David Fizdale was a great hire for Knicks Head Coach.
TrueFan
Verdict:
The
First major move for the New York Knicks this summer was the hiring
of a Head Coach that more fit the vision of new General Manager Scott
Perry. Previous Knicks Head Coach Jeff Hornacek was initially bought
in by then President The Great Phil Jackson, to use his offensive
genius to form a modern version of the vaunted Triangle Offense
around Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. However, with new
General Manager Scott Perry having a background in the front office
of the great Defensive Championship Detroit Pistons teams of the
early 2000's, he preferred a coach that could bring a strong
defensive culture which wasn't Jeff Hornacek's calling card.
President Steve Mills and General Manager Scott Perry interviewed
over 10 great candidates and came away with the most sought after
Head Coach on the market this off-season. David Fizdale is a
discipline of former Knicks Coach, the Legendary Coach Pat Riley and
Fizdale earned his NBA bones in Atlanta under the last Knicks head
coach to lead the Knicks to a division crown in Mike Woodson. Fizdale
is a Defense-First Head Coach that has had great success in Miami
with NBA Superstars LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh in
their title runs under Coach Erik Spoelstra, in addition to Fizdale
having moderate success in his little more than a season with the
Memphis Grizzlies. Fizdale's has also gained great success at getting
NBA Star Bigmen Chris Bosh and Memphis Marc Gasol to modernize their
NBA games, with that point alone Fizdale's resume leans to Fizdale
being the perfect Coach for Knicks young cornerstone Kristaps
Porzingis and Fizdale can put together an elite defensive scheme that
could develop Knicks PG Frank Ntilikina into the best defensive
player in the entire NBA.
2)
The New York Knicks had a great 2018 NBA Draft.
TrueFan
Verdict:
In
3 years, I can see NBA fans looking back at the 2018 NBA Draft as
where the Knicks turned the corner. The Knicks were able to draft
Kentucky's top guy in Kevin Knox, and the Knicks were able to get in
the second round arguably the draft's best shot blocker and most
athletic bigman in Mitchell Robinson. Knox looks the part of the next
generation elite scoring Small Forwards in the line of Carmelo
Anthony, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum. Knox will have an opportunity
this season without Kristaps playing due to recovering from injury to
compete for the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year Award. For perspective the
Knicks were able to draft the 9th and 10th
ranked 2017 High School Top 100 Prospects in Knox and Robinson
respectfully. In the 2018 Vegas Summer League both Knox and Robinson
showed off their great talents and Robinson showed he might be the
steal of the entire 2018 NBA Draft. In Summer League Knox looked a
lot like his favorite player in Kevin Durant, whereas Mitchell
Robinson looked like former New York Knicks Legend Marcus Camby. The
Future looks very bright for the two young Knicks Rookies.
3)
Enes Kanter has become the great Knicks Ambassador.
TrueFan
Verdict:
While
there is nothing about Enes Kanter that can be described as quiet, we
must state that quietly one of the best things that happen to the
Knicks this off-season was Enes Kanter opting in to his contract and
returning as the Knicks starting center and vocal leader for this
upcoming season. The first reason for the optimism is undoubtedly
Kanter's leadership; Kanter has in his short time in New York
reestablished a form of pride with the Knicks that the Knicks haven't
had since Latrell Sprewell and before with Charles Oakley/ Anthony
Mason. With no hyperbole at all Kanter perfectly fits new Head Coach
David Fizdale's caliber of player aligning with the motto of “ No
Cupcakes”. Kanter is a media delight and has a great presence on
Social Media. Throughout the Summer Kanter has made Free-Agent
Pitches to the leagues biggest stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant,
Kyrie Irving, and Jimmy Butler to bring their talents to New York
City. Kanter has went on countless Media Platforms, Sports Shows and
Sports Podcast alike to defend the Knicks and promote the fact the
Knicks are a young team on the rise. The other part that might be
quiet about Kanter however is; quietly Kanter is the best low-post
scoring/ Offensive Rebounding Big Man in the entire NBA. Kanter is a
underrated elite offensive talent and can attribute as a major reason
why he was the 3rd
Overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Many Sports Fans question
Kanter's defense and his commitment to that side of the court but
Kanter always gives effort and toughness and the advanced metrics
show that Kanter is coming of his best individual defensive season of
his career in 2017-18. In 2018 Kanter posted career highs in
Defensive Win Shares( 2.1 ) and Defensive Plus/Minus( 0.1). Kanter
already a fan favorite in New York might be in the poster child for
the New “Fiz Kids” Lead New York Knicks and might be in store for
his best NBA Season under new Head Coach David Fizdale this year.
4)
Knicks Free-Agency has been active and accurate.
TrueFan
Verdict:
With
the Knicks in build mode as the front office crafts a team around
Franchise Cornerstone Star PF Kristaps Porzingis, whom will return to
his best form in 2019. Therefore the Knicks have played it smart in
this free-agency period and have done a great job setting themselves
up for next summer's Free Agency Splash. The Knicks did a great job
not reaching for any player that had desires to play in the city or
give out any long-term deals that could hamper future signing and
salary cap implications. The Knicks during the 2018 Free-Agency
acquired a wealth of high end talent on relatively prove-it or
leave-it One Year Deals. Here's a quick list of whom the Knicks have
signed so far this off-season.
-Mario
Hezonja – SF/PF – Signed a One-Year Deal worth 6.5 Million
-Noah
Vonleh – PF – Signed a One-Year Non-Guaranteed Deal
-Luke
Kornet – C/PF – Signed a One-Year worth 1.6 Million
-Isaiah
Hicks – PF/C – Signed a Two-Way G-League/ NBA Contract
-Allonzo
Trier – SG – Signed a Two-Way G-League/ NBA Contract
The
Knicks front office did a great job signing players that fit their
timeline, that were also young players that have great untapped
talents and potential, and didn't overspend or give long-term deals
to get those players. With the Knicks first and biggest off-season
signing in Mario Hezonja, I think the Knicks have captured a steal.
Hezonja was compared to Kobe Bryant, Jr Smith, and Tracy McGrady
coming into the 2015 NBA Draft. His time in Orlando was filled with
lack of opportunities and poor player development. The plus for the
Knicks is Hezonja a player known for his great offensive talents but
is coming off a excellent defensive season. Hezonja playing in
limited minutes, playing only 22 Minutes a game, posted great
individual advance defensive-metrics with a Defensive Win Shares mark
of 1.8 and a Defensive Box Plus/Minus of 0.2. Hezonja's defensive
stats per 36 minutes are also impressive where he averaged almost 2
steals and 1 Block per 36 minutes last season. What the Knicks might
of found was a former top 5 pick that can be a two-way star very soon
in the NBA with the right opportunity. Hezonja signing also sheds a
real positive light on the new Knicks Front Office because Hezonja
turned down several Multiple-Year contract offers to sign with the
Knicks. Hezonja stated his relationship with GM Scott Perry in his
time in Orlando and speaking and meeting with David Fizdale during
his draft process in 2015 while Fizdale was with Miami, made Hezonja
choose the Knicks over the field for his basketball services. Hezonja
fits what Fizdale likes in a player to the “T” and Hezonja
already has relationships with the Knicks two foreign cornerstones in
Lativan SuperStar Kristaps Porzingis
and French Star Frank Ntilikina. Hezonja also strongly fits Coach Fizdale's preference in player, being "big and long", at 6'8 with a 6'11 wingspan and can play 3
positions comfortably at either the Shooting Guard Position or either
the Small Forward or the Modern Day Power Forward or Stretch 4.
Hezonja can be a great additon for Fizdale and the Knicks.
In
Noah Vonleh the Knicks got another greatly talented player that
effectively fits the program the Knicks are putting together and
developing. Vonleh also a high lottery pick, was the 9th
overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Vonleh was never given a chance
to develop with the team that drafted him as he was traded to
Portland less two seasons into his career. Vonleh also fits the
Knicks approach as he is also big and long, at 6'10” and a massive
7'4” wingspan. Vonleh is a great athlete but what he excels at is
rebounding, with Vonleh's long reach and large hands he has averaged
double-digits rebounds per 36 minutes in each of his 4 seasons of his
young career. For perspective; last season if given the minutes,
Vonleh “Defensive Rebound Pct” of 30.2 would of placed him tied
for 9th in all the NBA above players like Joel Embiid,
Marc Gasol, Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert and Kevin Love. Vonleh will be
given the chance to earn a role with the Knicks during training camp
and Preseason, and can be a excellent replacement for NY Fan Favorite
Queens Born PF/C Kyle O'Quinn, whom signed with the Indiana Pacers
this off-season.
For True Knick Fans
 |
| Kyle O'Quinn Knicks Video Mixtape |
5)
Who will go? Who will Stay? Courtney Lee? Joakim Noah? Lance Thomas?
TrueFan
Verdict:
With
the Noah Vonleh signing the Knicks will enter training camp with more
players than they can carry into the regular season. With that being
said one of the players currently with the Knicks won't be on the
team come the start of the 2018-19 NBA Season. As I look over the
Knicks roster the player that comes to mind most as the next player
to depart is Courtney Lee. Lee was a favorite of the previous administration in Phil Jackson and Jeff Hornacek and now might find himself landing on a playoff team for the coming NBA Campaign. Courtney Lee is at
this stage in his career a known NBA commodity, a very good
basketball player at all aspects of the game, a true professional
Basketball Player. Courtney Lee is a rare efficient two-way team player
that can shoot the ball well from all over the court and plays strong
perimeter defensive every night that effects the game from both ends without needing a play called for him or ever becoming needy of shots and opportunities. Lee stands as one of the better
acquisitions and least criticized moves during the Phil Jackson led
tenure. Lee is on a good contract and could prove to be the one
player that is more easily moved of the Knicks veterans to make room
for the young players on the roster to get opportunities to develop.
With
Joakim Noah, there is a good opportunity that with Coach Fizdale Noah
can find a solid role with the Knicks this upcoming season and then
be part of a Trade-Deadline Deal to a Playoff Contender like the
Minnesota T'Wolves or the Golden State Warriors. Noah is one of the
best defensive bigmen of his era and one of the smartest players of
his time, touted for his infectious intensity and basketball IQ, Noah
could be a supreme mentor for players like Mitchell Robinson, Noah
Vonleh and Luke Kornet.
With
Lance Thomas, Thomas is more in the middle. He has arguably the most
movable contract to part ways with and of the three Thomas could be a affordable great
piece for playoff teams that are in need of a effective 3-and-D wing
player. Thomas might land in a trade-deadline deal to say partner up
with mentor Carmelo Anthony in Houston, or add some veteran punch off
the bench for the Milwaukee Bucks or help the Utah Jazz find some
wing defense and spacing for a playoff run in the West.
For Knicks Fans Here's Some Summer Basketball Videos
-Trey Burke Dyckman Park Highlights
 |
| Trey Burke 35 At Dyckman Park Highlights |
-Kevin Knox 2018 Las Vegas Summer League
 |
| Kevin Knox 2018 Vegas Summer League Highlights |
-Mitchell Robinson 2018 Las Vegas Summer League
 |
| Michell Robinson 2018 Vegas Summer League Highlights |
-Frank Ntilikina 2018 Las Vegas Summer League
 |
| Frank Ntilikina Vegas Summer League Highlights |
-Tim Hardaway Jr Summer Workout Clip
 |
| 2018 Tim Hardaway Jr Workout Clip |
For
the Knicks, the 2018 Summer has been a notable success. The Knicks
are in position for a strong 2019 Free Agency Period and have
positioned themselves to be major players. As for the upcoming
2018-19 NBA Season, I predict there will be great excitement in New
York, with young potential all across the board in Frank Ntilikina,
Kevin Knox, Tim Hardaway Jr and Mario Hezonja we can see New York
City in a exciting abuzz like OKC years ago in 2009 with the young
core of young 21-Year Old Kevin Durant, young 23-Year Old Jeff Green,
young 21-Year Old Russell Westbrook and young 20-Year Old James
Harden. The 2018 Knicks might not end with a playoff appearance but
with all the moves made and with new Head Coach David Fizdale, we can
guarantee the Knicks will no longer be a winnable game for the entire
NBA in Madison Square Garden anymore.
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