Sports

Frank Ntilikina is confused on how he can best help Knicks

Frank Ntilikina can impact a game in several ways, but right now the rookie doesn’t know how he should.

Following a promising start to the season, the 19-year-old point guard’s production has slipped in nearly every category. Through 21 games, Ntilikina ranks second to last on the team in field-goal percentage (33.6), and since registering 29 assists in a four-game span in early November, he has averaged 1.4 assists over the past 15 games.

His much-lauded defense has suffered as well, with the Frenchman recording three steals in the past eight games, after averaging 2.1 steals through his first 12 games.

“One of the things early was he was just looking to pass. Then we’ve tried to talk to him about being a little more aggressive, and trying to really move the ball downhill on these guys, and then I think he was maybe thinking shoot it and score,” coach Jeff Hornacek said. “I thought last game, the practice before that, he’s done a nice job of balancing that. Sometimes he’ll attack. Sometimes he’s looking to pass. As a young person in this league you’re trying to figure that out, ‘When are my opportunities to really attack? When is it just to make a pass?’





“I think he’s learning every day and he’ll just continue to grow that way.”

What Hornacek saw at the start of the season means much more to him than the current slump.

“I think he’s what we expected, and he’s gonna get better and better,” Hornacek said. “We’re almost through the league once, where we’ve played every team, and I’ve seen it through other rookies, that first time around it’s difficult if you don’t know these players. … Frank’s a smart player, he’s gonna figure that out and get better and better.”

The Knicks had no update on Tim Hardaway Jr.’s stress injury in his lower left leg and his return date remains unknown. Hardaway traveled with the Knicks to Chicago for Saturday’s game.





Joakim Noah likely will be stuck to the bench again in his return to Chicago.

The longtime Bull — who this season has appeared in just two games, and played a total of 11 minutes — posted 12 points and 16 rebounds in his first game at Chicago last season, and had 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals in another win on Jan. 12. But Hornacek said Noah’s past performances against his former team won’t impact whether he sees the floor.

“Sometimes that’s good, but he’s been back last year,” Hornacek said. “I’ve been on a few different teams. The first time yes [it matters], but after that it becomes another game.”





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