Although Frank Ntilikina‘s name keeps popping up in trade rumors, Knicks head coach David Fizdale says the club views the second-year guard as a distributor and defender “that can help us win next year and into the future,” per Ian Begley of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Ntilikina’s role has been inconsistent in 2018/19, but Fizdale said he’ll likely have the youngster back up Emmanuel Mudiay at the point for at least the next few weeks.
For his part, Ntilikina has resolved to stop letting “expectations and outside noise” negatively affect his game, as Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News relays.
“I know me as a player and I know my ceiling is really high, higher than everyone thinks,” Ntilikina said.
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- In addition to addressing Ntilikina’s role today, Fizdale also reiterated that the priority up front for the Knicks is to develop centers Luke Kornet and Mitchell Robinson. That means Enes Kanter may not have a spot in the regular rotation, Begley tweets. “I’m going to try my best to share those (center) minutes, but I do have a priority to grow (Kornet and Robinson),” Fizdale said.
- With Kenneth Faried poised to clear waivers today, Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson expressed some regret that he couldn’t find more minutes for Faried during his time in Brooklyn (link via Greg Joyce of The New York Post). Jarrett Allen and Ed Davis were ahead of Faried on the depth chart at center, and Atkinson’s preference for playing small made it difficult to work in the big man at power forward. “He did everything we asked,” Atkinson said. “He was a great guy. He busted his tail. He was in shape. Just didn’t think he had great opportunity here.”
- A NetsDaily column makes the case that Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson and general manager Sean Marks have earned long-term contract extensions, arguing that Brooklyn should lock the duo up sooner rather than later.
Got to appreciate what Atkinson has said about Faried, and the Manimal’s ability to stay professional throughout his time in Brooklyn. Imagine if every player/coach relationship could be like this!
i see what he was doing , but cmon man he was starting Jared Dudley over this man. He averaged 3 ppg with 0 rebounds every night. no excuses not to play him.
Nets have gone from embarrassing to a top 6 team in the east with none of their own picks. Gm needs a fat extension
I wouldn’t give him too much credit considering half the teams in the east are tanking.
The only reason the nets aren’t tanking is because of how well the gms done
Yes but he did it without the ability of tanking
They have the ability to tank for their own pick now, but they have the talent and incentive to play well to lure a max contract guy. I’ve heard KD’s name.