Which 2018 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Participants Profile as Future Superstars?
In the Tank
Frank Ntilikina, New York Knicks
| Comparable Seasons | Match % |
|---|---|
| Jerian Grant, 2015-16 | 93.29% |
| Milt Palacio, 2005-06 | 92.45% |
| Rafer Alston, 2009-10 | 91.36% |
| Eric Bledsoe, 2010-11 | 91.29% |
| Anthony Carter, 1999-00 | 91.19% |
Frankie Smokes, aka Frank The Tank, aka The French Prince. The 6'5" point guard was intriguing enough for him to go 8th overall in this summer's draft. And there's reason to believe that he's just not getting enough opportunity with the Knicks. Prior to Kristaps Porzingis' season-ending injury, New York was playing a lot of veterans -- most notably Jarrett Jack -- at point guard. Meanwhile, Ntilikina's played just 20.1 minutes per game in 56 games.
Don't assume lack of volume is the real issue, though. Ntilikina is 19 years old and new to the NBA game, but he's shooting just 35.3% from the floor and hasn't shown much other than big-time potential on the defensive end. He draws some very high match percentages, but Eric Bledsoe fits the same type of physical build and natural defensive talent. In his rookie year, Bledsoe posted a -6.8 nERD, which is a hair worse than Ntilikina's -6.5. We've seen Bledsoe work his way into a top-15 or so point guard, but comps to the dreadfully inefficient seasons of backup point guards like Jerian Grant, Rafer Alston and Anthony Carter have to put fear in the hearts of Knicks lifers.
