Frank Ntilikina will be a perennial all-star

[Don Che]

Yeh prior to the 2000's PGs usually took time to develop.

John Stockton barely played for 2 years....and played 3-4 years of college...and STILL is 1 in assists and steals

if he played today he'd be traded twice before his 3rd year and sent to a team that would draft a PG ahead of him in the process.

Teams dont know how to invest in their talent anymore...out of 30 teams id say 5 are good at it....and awkwardly..i think we are one of them as of late.

[taowave]

Dude was cautious because he was close to 50

And I distinctly remember Prigs going to the hoop and throwing the ball over the backboard..

In his case,he couldn't be too cautious

I have, and he wore a Knick uniform. You must be forgetting about our beloved Pablo Prigioni. He was the exact same way at the point. Good defender who always looked to get his teammates involved first, almost to a fault. It's a better problem to have than a hot-headed, score-first pg. I think his offense will come around eventually though. So I'm not worried.

[big_j_NY]

I have, and he wore a Knick uniform. You must be forgetting about our beloved Pablo Prigioni. He was the exact same way at the point. Good defender who always looked to get his teammates involved first, almost to a fault. It's a better problem to have than a hot-headed, score-first pg. I think his offense will come around eventually though. So I'm not worried.

Good lord I still remember that one time where Pablo had an open layup on the fast break........only to turn around and make a foolish (almost turnover) pass to a "lucky" trailing JR Smith to deliver the fastbreak dunk.

If Pablo's foolish pass DID NOT result in JR Smith's hands, the entire forum would've been ready to shred the old guy into pieces at that point.

[taowave]

I remember that play as well..almost fell out of my seat..but it was nothing compared to that time he tried to finish on the break and literally threw the ball over the back board

Good lord I still remember that one time where Pablo had an open layup on the fast break........only to turn around and make a foolish (almost turnover) pass to a "lucky" trailing JR Smith to deliver the fastbreak dunk.

If Pablo's foolish pass DID NOT result in JR Smith's hands, the entire forum would've been ready to shred the old guy into pieces at that point.

[spree#8]

Steve Nash had a lower usage rate in his rookie season than Ntilikina. So nothing to fuzz about now when it was expected to take Ntilikina's offense time to catch up.

[Koopa Troopa]

Steve Nash had a lower usage rate in his rookie season than Ntilikina. So nothing to fuzz about now when it was expected to take Ntilikina's offense time to catch up.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

At 19 years old he lacks explosiveness and speed. You aint gonna get that with age. Unless he develops a post up game he isnt gonna be a very good NBA guard.

[n8 the gr8]

The negativity is about what I expected. Frank's basketball IQ has shown despite him being a rookie and lacking confidence, maybe even ahead of schedule to me. I expect to see him have a consistently balanced shot selection by the end of december. He needs to work on rookie fouls but he's adjusting and he's shone how he'll be special. Once the team embraces the tank he'll be able to get more extended minutes with KP and the starters and hit his stride on both ends of the floor by the end of the season.

All according to plan, relax.

[spree#8]

Steve Nash had a lower usage rate in his rookie season than Ntilikina. So nothing to fuzz about now when it was expected to take Ntilikina's offense time to catch up.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

At 19 years old he lacks explosiveness and speed. You aint gonna get that with age. Unless he develops a post up game he isnt gonna be a very good NBA guard.

My comment was an answer on Tao saying he has never seen a point guard being as cautious. Usage rate is a good stat to look at for this claim.

[NewlyKnicked]

Yeah nobody wants to see Frank thrive more than me, and I also would like him to take a bit more chances, but we knew from the start it'd take time and patience. The signs are there, we need to carefully develop this player. No rush

[taowave]

I was referring more to his ridiculously cautious approach to the game.He puts ZERO pressure on the D and refuses to take his man off the dribble..

Is it in his head,or he doesn't have the tools?

My comment was an answer on Tao saying he has never seen a point guard being as cautious. Usage rate is a good stat to look at for this claim.

[Don Che]

He plays like Malik Sealy in Eddie before he played Gary Payton in the park...hes way docile out there.

I'm gonna just be patient because i like the kid but at this stage he has no presence of mind to carry a team offensively or even hold it together in small spurts.

[taowave]

I like him too,but hes the tamest 19 y.o. I have ever seen when it comes to the offense..

Dude has no problem pushing and getting into it with 275 pounders,but wont drive to the hoop

He plays like Malik Sealy in Eddie before he played Gary Payton in the park...hes way docile out there.

I'm gonna just be patient because i like the kid but at this stage he has no presence of mind to carry a team offensively or even hold it together in small spurts.

[Don Che]

yeh he's a hard player to guage or predict really.

He could be MCW/Mardy Collins or Gary Payton and I wouldnt be surprised lol

[taowave]

Payton is the guy who I could see Frank becoming if we are lucky.

On a similar note,don't they teach college PG's guys how to shoot?

The rookie class of PG shooting is AWFUL. Supposedly, Lonzo has the worst shooting percentage in the last 20 years.I heard Steven A screaming it,so have to fact check it.

yeh he's a hard player to guage or predict really.

He could be MCW/Mardy Collins or Gary Payton and I wouldnt be surprised lol

[StevoStarks]

I too have to keep reminding myself to be patient and I literally don't care how this team finishes this season. I just want them to play hard and improve.

Frank's improvement has been similar to the ups and downs of a seismograph. It can be frustrating and maddening at times, but as mentioned in this thread - he's a 19 y.o. rookie, playing in the states for the first time, trying to get used to the speed and physicality of the NBA. It's going to take a minute.

[Don Che]

I just wonder what would happen if Jeff just said.....Frank its your time...pass or fail its your time.

Maybe it would make him relax a bit. Since most of the issues i see is just hesitation. Idc how good of a shooter you are...if you hesitate you wont make a high clip.

I see lonzo rise up with pure confidence.......and miss 3 feet to the left.

Every shot Frank puts up looks like he thought "hes not open, hes not open, hes not open...ok ill shoot it"

Id rather him just rise up and fire, make or miss, win or loss...just mean it.

[StevoStarks]

I just wonder what would happen if Jeff just said.....Frank its your time...pass or fail its your time.

Maybe it would make him relax a bit. Since most of the issues i see is just hesitation. Idc how good of a shooter you are...if you hesitate you wont make a high clip.

I see lonzo rise up with pure confidence.......and miss 3 feet to the left.

Every shot Frank puts up looks like he thought "hes not open, hes not open, hes not open...ok ill shoot it"

Id rather him just rise up and fire, make or miss, win or loss...just mean it.

I'm hoping that will come as his comfort level increases along with his confidence. He's definitely thinking too much right now, trying to make all the right plays and not picking his spots.

[nbafreak724]

I just wonder what would happen if Jeff just said.....Frank its your time...pass or fail its your time.

Maybe it would make him relax a bit. Since most of the issues i see is just hesitation. Idc how good of a shooter you are...if you hesitate you wont make a high clip.

I see lonzo rise up with pure confidence.......and miss 3 feet to the left.

Every shot Frank puts up looks like he thought "hes not open, hes not open, hes not open...ok ill shoot it"

Id rather him just rise up and fire, make or miss, win or loss...just mean it.

I'm hoping that will come as his comfort level increases along with his confidence. He's definitely thinking too much right now, trying to make all the right plays and not picking his spots.

Agreed, Frankie just needs to relax a bit and let the game come to him on offense. I think if this team continues to slide down the standings, it could be the best thing for him as it will relieve some of that pressure and make him feel more comfortable.

[big_j_NY]

Finally, Frank is showing signs of developing a post game

[thewatcher]

^^Exactly BigJ..that was the GREAT take-away from this game!!