New York Knicks News Mix, 10/1/17: Jeff Hornacek Praises Frank Ntilikina
WHITE PLAINS, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Frank Ntilikina #11of the New York Knicks is photographed at New York Knicks Media Day on September 25, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

While training camp continues for the New York Knicks, head coach Jeff Hornacek praises new point guard Frank Ntilikina.

Frank Ntilikina is always going to be the point guard who Phil Jackson wanted. The experts said he was a perfect fit for Jackson’s notorious triangle offense. But the Zen Master is gone now, and the head coach is finally in charge.

Jeff Hornacek is switching to the same up-tempo offense that he ran in Phoenix. From what he told reporters, he expects the Frenchman to make an immediate impact.

Hornacek says that Frank is already winning over his veteran teammates; then praises his basketball IQ.

Via Howie Kussoy of The New York Post:

“I think the surprising thing for me as a coach is how knowledgeable he is about the game, and how he reads things. Coming in, you saw some of his raw talent, you saw his length on tape, but when you’re here every day watching him play, seeing the plays that he makes, finding the mismatches and getting the ball to that guy quickly. He comes down the court and realizes this guy didn’t get a shot the last three or four times. He seems to call a play that fits right there. It’s something that he’s probably not even necessarily thinking about. It’s just natural. Not many guys have that. That’s what’s been impressive.”

Frank will be competing for New York’s starting spot with three other point guards: Ron Baker, Ramon Sessions, and Jarrett Jack. Frank is naturally the fan favorite to win the position battle.

If Hornacek keeps making comments like this the idea of starting Frank right away—which seemed wild to start the summer—may actually happen.


Elite Sports NY’s Michael Dolan tells you why Enes Kanter should be the starting center in New York this season.