LAS VEGAS -- On Thursday, the New York Knicks summer league team featuring ninth pick Kevin Knox and 36th pick Mitchell Robinson bowed out of the tournament in an 82-75 loss to the Boston Celtics; New York will play a final consolation game Friday. The rookies took their first steps as pros in the Las Vegas Summer League, with some intriguing results but also room for improvement.

Knox averaged 23.3 points and 7.3 rebounds through his first three games but made only five of his 20 shot attempts on his way to 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 turnovers on Thursday. Even in a poor game, though, Knox showed the hallmarks that the Knicks hope will translate to the next level.

Knox projects to the type of combo forward that is increasingly popular in today's NBA, similar in size and role to last year's Vegas Summer League Championship Game MVP Kyle Kuzma. On offense, Knox is more finisher than team-offense initiator. Perhaps his most impressive weapon in the summer league was his dribble drive to the rim. Knox has a quick and long first step, which he uses to get his body between the defender and the ball. Once that's done, Knox is able to carry them on his hip to the rim, where he's got the strength and length to finish in traffic.