1. The Knicks drafted surprisingly well
In what was probably the best part of the 2018 offseason for the Knicks, draft picks Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson flashed so much potential at NBA Summer League it’s been hard for fans to contain themselves.
Knox averaged 21.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, showcasing an impressive blend of athleticism, shooting and dribble penetration en route to a spot on the All-NBA Summer League First Team.
Many already consider Robinson the steal of the draft after the display he put on in Las Vegas, to the tune of 13.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.0 blocks in just 24.8 minutes per game.
The fact that all this production happened in Summer League should probably make some fans pause before they send the youngsters jerseys to the rafters, but it’d be a lie to say it’s not incredibly exciting to watch.
Knicks GM Scott Perry says on ESPN’s Get Up that he had to keep pinching himself and reminding himself during Summer League that Kevin Knox is still 18. He said NYK was most impressed with his mental approach.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 25, 2018
For so long, the Knicks have made mistake after mistake with their draft picks, whether that be selecting the wrong guy or trading the pick long before it ever materializes. It must feel nice to be on the other side of that criticism for once, being praised for your drafting acumen rather than not getting to show it off at all.
There are so many interesting stats that should make Knicks fans giddy for the future, like how Robinson blocked eight more shots in Summer League than Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III and Mohamed Bamba combined.
Sure, their performances may not have been when the game really matters, but who cares?
The Knicks drafted two young and insanely talented prospects to go along with an already intriguing and developing core. For a team that hasn’t won a championship since 1973, sometimes that’s all it takes to get the hype train moving once again.