New York Knicks draft target Frank Ntilikina spoke to the New York Post about some topics including the triangle and Kristaps Porzingis.
Like most international prospects during the NBA Draft process, Frank Ntilikina has been a mystery. Knicks fans have had to rely on sites like DraftExpress for knowledge of the French point guard’s skill set. He doesn’t even have a workout scheduled with the Knicks yet.Until now we haven’t heard him speak publicly. Ntilikina talked to Marc Berman of The New York Post about Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, playing with American teammates in Europe, and the possibility of playing with Kristaps Porzingis.
Per Berman, Ntilikina praises the Knicks history then says he would be a fit for the triangle offense. It reminds him of the offense he plays with Strasbourg, his team in France.
“The Knicks [have] a good history. The game they play – the triangle offense – is close to the game I play in France with my team. A lot of movement. I think to play over there, I would fit with them. It would be great to play for them.’’
Ntilikina hypes up Porzingis and says he believes that he and the unicorn would bond on and off the court. He notes how they could use the European form of a pick and roll that the NBA may not be accustomed to.
“He plays great,’’ Ntilikina said of Porzingis. “I think he has two good seasons. He’s going to be maybe a superstar for sure. We’ll have a good relationship on the court if we play there together. Pick-and-roll … we’re both from Europe. We have a different way to play the pick-and-roll, the action not every American player has. I think both of us will have a great relationship off the court, too.’’
Per Berman, Ntilikina knows a little bit about New York after participating in the Jordan Brand high-school event and spending time training with former Knicks development coach Chris Brickley.
“The atmosphere is very good in New York — the way they live over there, I like it a lot,” said Ntilikina, who was born in Belgium and moved to France at age 3. “I talked to people there and loved them. To be in that atmosphere, it gave me a lot of motivation to work harder and have my dream.”
The Mavs are also seriously interested in Ntilikina. Owner Marc Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson went to Italy to talk to Ntilikina in person. Fortunately, for the Knicks, they are one pick ahead of Dallas.
DraftExpress currently has Ntilikina heading to the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 9 pick. The expert site has New York selecting Malik Monk at No. 8.
New York is reportedly interested in a number of guards including Monk, Dennis Smith Jr., Donovan Mitchell, and Luke Kennard.
