Kevin Knox didn’t shoot particularly well in Summer League. He shot 35% from the field, in four games. Not great, but he was in the top 5 in scoring, averaging just over 21 points in those games. Even with such poor efficiency, Knicks fans are salivating at the thought of him as part of the next great Knicks team.

Knox was unassuming at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats in scoring, yet not quite putting himself on the map, like Michael Porter Jr., Miles Bridges or even the older Mikal Bridges. He seemed to float in and out of games, and questions about his motor were valid, when looking at the tape.

Then we learned what type of dog he has during the pre-draft process. He was willing to fight for what’s his, joining group workouts, something not common for highly touted prospects. The old rumor was that he kicked Miles Bridges ass up and down the court, in those workouts. He talks continuously about being great and the road to that greatness, and not in a superficial way.

He’s only 19, one of the youngest players in the league, but he has shown the potential to be a 3- level scorer with ball handling chops, and a versatile defender, with the mentality and aura of a Star. That potential is tantalizing to everyone who roots for the Blue and Orange.

That word, potential, is where it all hangs. It’s a word that brings a place where hopes and dreams go to live and die. So often in the NBA ether that word gets thrown around. It means everything and nothing all at the same time. “Potential” is what may be, but it rarely turns out to be reality.

Sometimes Kawhi becomes Kawhi, and sometimes he becomes Michael Beasley or Andrew Wiggins, seemingly indifferent of greatness. Sometimes he becomes Brandon Roy or Greg Oden, physically unable to live up to greatness. It’s so hard to become the best, and not everyone is cut out for it.

I was enamored with Justise Winslow coming out of Duke. He was the Wing that looked the part of a modern NBA star, much like Knox. A 6’7” wing who can handle the ball, defend multiple positions, and just needed to learn how to shoot a bit, and everything in his game would become unlocked. We’re talking about a player, whom Danny Ainge tried to trade four First Round draft picks to move up in the draft and select him.

And we’re now three years into Winslow’s career, which may be getting on track in the near future, but he’s still not the advertised player yet. He has only reached a fraction of the potential he was projected to have. Part of that is injuries have hurt his chance of development, but part of that is there’s no science or math to accurately predict how players are actually going to develop. There’s no magic ball with this stuff. Winslow was supposed to be the star that helped bridge a new gap for the Miami Heat, and now he may be part of trade bait to get that star.

The Knicks are in a similar position with Knox. They need him to be that 2nd or 3rd star, still on a rookie deal. KP is about to get paid, probably something along the lines of 150 Million dollars over Five years. With the rising expectations in free agency, the Knicks need a draw greater than just KP. Knox needs to reach his potential where he can actually contribute in tangible ways, within the next two to three years, or there will be another addition built onto the re-build.

I believe in Kevin Knox. There’s something about him, his mentality, and the way he carries himself. I just can’t help but see success, but life isn’t always perfect. In a few years, we’ll see what side of the spectrum he falls on; Is he Paul George or Justise Winslow?