Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson don’t have anything left to prove, but they are playing in the New York Knicks’ consolation game anyway.
The New York Knicks were early favorites going into Las Vegas Summer League, but after posting a 1-3 record, they failed to make the eight-team playoff.
The Knicks play a consolation game on Saturday against the Washington Wizards. Although the game is meaningless (well, more meaningless than a normal Summer League game), it looks like Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson will play.
Word is, there’s a good chance RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox play in tonight’s consolation finale vs. Washington.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) July 13, 2019
Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson wanted to play tonight's consolation game. Wanted another chance to get a run with their rookies RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikas. Admirable, especially when you look at all the lottery picks who didn't play in Vegas.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) July 13, 2019
Developing cohesion among the young core is going to be one of the biggest challenges for Knicks head coach David Fizdale moving forward. Any extra time Knox and Robinson spend with the rookies should be looked at as a positive.
Neither Knox or Robinson have anything left to prove in Las Vegas, but it’s nice to see them want to play in a league where “load management” is as common as the pick-and-roll.
Knox is averaging 17.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and has shown some confidence with his stroke. Robinson picked up right where he left off in the regular season. He’s converted 21 of the 25 shots he’s taken and he’s averaging 3.5 blocks per game. That’s the Mitchell Robinson fans have come to know and love.
The two guys Knox and Robinson want to play with, RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikis, have shown flashes of brilliance as well. Despite the early “oh my God, he’s a bust” reaction from many, Barrett has picked up his play in the last two games. Furthermore, Brazdeikis erupted for 30 points in an overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Sure, the Knicks won’t be thrilled to be leaving Las Vegas with a losing record, but there are positives to take away from the experience.
