Chris Iseman | NBA Writer

Chris Iseman, Staff Writer, @chrisiseman

Through the Knicks' first seven games, Frank Ntilikina is attempting 4.1 three-pointers per game.

Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports

That's twice as many as last season.

Ntilikina has attempted at least five triples in three games this season. He attempted at least five threes in three games his entire rookie year.

There's a reason for it.

Coach David Fizdale has challenged Ntilikina to be more aggressive from the perimeter as part of the guard's overall growth and development on offense.

"I think it’s just part of his growth, but I’m encouraging it," Fizdale said. "Kind of similar to what I’ve done with players in the past, I tell him he’s got to get me four or five attempts a game."

After starting the first five games at small forward, Ntilikina has been shifted to point guard the last two contests and has responded well.

Ntilikina scored 17 points against the Warriors and 16 against the Nets, just the second time he's had back-to-back double-figure games in his young career.

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He's averaged 16.5 points, three rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes through his last two games.

For the season, he's averaging 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 40 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from the perimeter.

The key for Ntilikina remains consistency, which will come from him maintaining the level of aggression he's shown more frequently this season.

Ntilikina's first instinct is to pass, but Fizdale is trying to get Ntilikina to have more of scorer's mentality.

Those five games at small forward could've helped. Facilitating wasn't his top priority.

"Letting him be a wing for a while I think has really helped him with his aggression," Fizdale said. "He didn’t necessarily have to think about getting other people shots. So it’s kind of let him ease into this his role now. I like this shot selection that he has."

Ntilikina's been better at driving to the inside, sometimes using a spin move through traffic in the lane before finishing at the rim, or pulling up for a short jumper.

Ntilikina's defense has never been in question. That part of his game has always been strong.

His offense, though, has needed to be developed.

It's still early in his second NBA season, but Ntilikina has made some strides.

Maintaining those strides is crucial.

"He’s growing," Fizdale said. "He’s starting to see the game a little better. He’s starting to pick his spots a little better. I think overall the process of getting him to where he is has helped him because we didn’t just force feed it on him. He got to see how our team functions. He got to know his teammates. And now he’s understanding how we want to play."

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