The buzz surrounding New York Knicks draft target Frank Ntilikina is picking up, and Wally Szczerbiak has become caught up in the hype.
Wally Szczerbiak is all aboard the Frank Ntilikina train. The former player turned New York Knicks analyst for the MSG Network went a little overboard in his praise for the French point guard prospect.According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Szczerbiak “compared the possibilities” for Ntilikina, 6-foot-5 with a 7-foot wingspan, to those of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Szczerbiak admitted he hadn’t seen Frank as much as the other players (in his defense nobody has) buy again mentions Giannis. In particular, their similar length. It is hard to ignore, but whenever you say a teenager’s name in the same sentence as a superstar, it’s heavy praise.
“I haven’t seen him as much as the other guys, but I know the Knicks have really been on his scouting trail all season long and taking a real close look,’’ said Szczerbiak, who will appear on a draft show for CBS Sports Network on Tuesday and an MSG Network program Wednesday. “I think at eight, that’s a big-time option for the Knicks. It’s his ballpark with those measurable talents and skills he has. That’s a guy if he does pan out, can be really, really good. You look at Antetokounmpo and what he’s become as the 15th pick in the draft after filling out his body with the length he has.
Wally stated that picking Frank makes sense to him partly because of his upside. The same kind of upside he heard about in comparison to Kristaps Porzingis.
“I would lean toward Frank because I’ve watched Monk a lot — explosive shooter and scorer — but I think Frank might have a serious upside, that’s what I’m hearing,’’ he said. “They hit the jackpot with a guy like [Kristaps] Porzingis, getting him at four [in 2015]. He’s got a lot of ceiling to grow and really be a transcendent player. If you can get another guy like that in Frank on the perimeter, you can be well on your way. Those other guys are options, but Frank — you don’t want to miss out on that one. You don’t want to get that one wrong.’’
Wally drops Malik Monk‘s name but then implies that Frank would be a better option. Do the Knicks feel the same way?
