FanPost

Some thoughts on the Knicks with upside / growth potential

We have a team with a lot of guys brought in as raw with upside, many drafted at around 19. It's been shown to take most players at least a few years to get in shape to match the physicality and speed of the NBA as well as get time to work on the finer points of the game. I'm personally really excited by what we have and just thought I'd put some of my thoughts here on what I've seen and would could be each player's upside.

1. Frank: Came in about as raw as it gets and asked to play the PG. Excellent defensive instincts and what looks to be a soft shot that hasn't been effective at all. Been hurt and often disappeared. I think it was easier for him when KP was there as they had some chemistry. We want to love the kid, but he hasn't made it easy. Upside Potential: Based on FIBA, looks to be developing physically, developing more as a ball handler as well as a more confident shooter. It's not time to say he's a bonafide NBA player by any means, but if he continues on this path, developes more of a killer mentality, be that x-factor that can lock down a guard...that would be great. I'd love to see him play more against teams with a score first guard like Kemba. This guy needs to scrape. He needs to be someone other teams don't like to see out there, a disruptive force that can bury a couple of jumpers here and there. Fingers crossed he's getting there.

2. Kevin Knox: His 'disappointing' year always has to be taken with a grain of salt. He was one of the few players you could say had the skills to create on all parts of the court, but for most of the year he looked sluggish and definitely had trouble playing through contact. He could look awful and he could Upside Potential: Toward the end of the season however I started to notice something...he was making adjustments in his footwork and ball handling to find those little spaces in the defense where he could get his shot off, where he could get to 'his spot'. It wasn't a lot, but there were flashes. He also started finishing better with contact. If he can become a three point threat (which I believe he can), that opens up a lot as he can drive and hit the floater or drive and dish. It will force defenses to watch him. He's a big body and he's got hops as well. I may be in the minority, but I see him having a very nice year.

3. Mitchell Robinson: What started out as a fun, sort of unicorn behavior with blocks and oops was often offset by incredibly speedy foul accumulation. The amazing thing is he started to foul less and it was at times beautiful to watch what appeared to be entire teams befuddled by Mitch. He just looked like someone no one had ever really encountered. Upside: I was excited about Mitch from the get go just with those youtube videos of him dunking from like halfcourt. If he continues to improve his rebounding and developes any kind of interior offensive game, maybe some in and out passing...we may have an first team defender that is one of the best alley oop catchers in history. If that's not exciting for us knicks fans, used to being grounded by aging vets with sore knees...I don't know what is.

4. Alonzo Trier: Say what you want...this kid lit it up. He showed grit and determination to both score and to never pass the ball. It did seem like other teams got the scouting report on him and overplayed him to his right toward the end of the seaon and that made it real tough and often ended with him tied up or just turning the ball over. Upside: As athletic and competitive as he is, if he could learn to play defense anywhere near as hard as he drives to the hoop, this kid has got a major upside. Also, he started shooting more 3's and was pretty good at them. If he can do that, play D, take it to the hoop and essentially score at will at times we got something.

5. RJ and Iggy: Still basically unknown so might as well take a wait and see approach, suffice it to say, there were moments in summer league where they both looked confident, aggresive, physical and compeitive. Fingers crossed here. RJ is still young so no need to go crazy expecting immediate superstar stuff. He'll take a while, will need to learn system and opponants. Iggy looks like a great pickup if he can shoot in real games like he did in summer league.

6. Dotson: In his second year, Damyean began to look like a confident, well-rounded player. He had some real nice scoring games and at times looked like a reliable scorer on both ends. I probably had more confidence in his shot most of the year than just about anyone elses on the team. Upside: If he continues to fine-tune his game, improves his catch and shoot, has a point guard who can get him the ball and players to set screens...there's definitely a role for him on a winning team.

7. Dennis Smith Jr: Obviously a gifted athlete and was often thrown in our face in relation to how he compared to Knox. He's got the handle and the hops. He can pass and he's young. Upside: If he improves his shot and his conditioning, the way he plays the game, the speed he has and his ability to penetrate and dish or finish...if he can reliably hit a jumper who knows...Also, if he can become a better defender he's got star potential.

8. Randle and Payton: I can't really say much but based on their ages and their growth they look like two guys who have either figured it out and could be ready to approach the higher echellon (Randle) or has grown into who they are as a player and can continue to improve and compete (Payton). I definitely watched Payton play some when he had the hair...he looked like a guy that had the physicality to do what needed to be done but just seemed really green. If you look at his end of the year stats with NO, you'd have to say it appears he's ready for some kind of jump and that's really exciting.

9. The rest of the vets: Hey, they're all here, looking to prove something. They've got experience and while the younger guys continue to learn, it will be great to have these guys there to share minutes, share practice, teach finer points stuff..maybe they end up signing on, maybe not. Morris might be a really good player, Portis too. Taj should be a guy who can add toughness and be physical. They are mostly a physical bunch and I think that really helps while the younger guys grow into their bodies. If we'd gotten Zion maybe we don't load up on big bodies, but we didn't, so we did. I'm cool with it.