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New York Knicks: 5 reasons Frank Ntilikina was a good pick

By Ed Easton Jr.

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Ntilikina of France is interviewed after being introduced as the number eight overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Ntilikina of France is interviewed after being introduced as the number eight overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Ntilikina of France is interviewed after being introduced as the number eight overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Ntilikina of France is interviewed after being introduced as the number eight overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Here are five reasons why Frank Ntilikina was a good pick for the New York Knicks in the 2017 NBA Draft.

I can tell many critics were surprised by the New York Knicks taking a chance on the young 18-year-old from France. The Knicks selected guard Frank Ntilikina with the eighth pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, throwing away any possible trade talk and focusing on building with their teenage playmaker.

While most NBA and Knicks fans were focused on NCAA standouts like Malik Monk and Dennis Smith Jr., especially when they remained on the board at No. 8, the exceptional offensive talent those players showed in college was not enough to sway team president Phil Jackson, who wanted to emphasize defense this offseason.

It definitely took a while for Knicks fans in attendance during the NBA Draft to understand the vision of the pick, hence the mixed reviews. Nevertheless, there’s a large deal of optimism among Knicks fans hoping for a turnaround after a very forgetful season.

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