Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks are coming off yet another disastrous regular season that saw them post a 29-53 record. Before the dust even settled, the team fired head coach Jeff Hornacek after just two years.
In no way does this mean those in New York are not excited about the team’s future. That includes this somewhat unreasonable set of expectations for young guard Frank Ntilikina. Just check out what executive vice president Steve Mills had to say about the 2017 lottery pick.
What exactly did New York’s brass see from the 19-year-old Belgium native? Ntilikina started nine games as a rookie, averaging 5.9 points in under 22 minutes of action. If the powers to be seem to think he can go up against the likes of Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Stephen Curry, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, we’re not exactly too sure what to tell them.
Having high expectations is one thing. Levying said expectations on a teenager with less than 2,000 minutes of NBA action under his belt is a completely different thing. No matter who New York brings in to coach this franchise, those in charge need to both temper expectations and actually understand the talent they have on the roster. Otherwise, it’s going to be much of the same in the Big Apple.