New York Knicks: Evaluating Kevin Knox’s young career

Blame the Coaches

The blame in the reduction of minutes should also fall on David Fizdale and Mike Miller.

After Knox had a solid start to the season, Fizdale reduced Knox’s minutes because Knox’s play became lackadaisical. Now granted that Knox was underperforming, Fizdale did not put Knox in a position to succeed.

Fizdale tried to make Knox a catch and shoot player, removing his useful skill of cutting the lane. Furthermore, Fizdale consistently put Knox in a difficult situation defensively by constantly switching on screens. Opposing teams would set a screen, causing Knox to switch and guard a more agile player, then exposing Knox’s poor footwork which allowed opponents to score.

Let me remind everyone that Fizdale was the same coach who preached about getting Knox right and then started him at shooting guard (clearly out of position). Even though this was for one game, this was malpractice by Fizdale considering he knew Knox is not able to keep up with guards.

Now the issue with Miller is that he wants to win as many games as possible so that he can earn the New York Knicks head coaching position (or any NBA head coaching position for that matter). So for Miller, that means putting the best players on the court that gives him the best chance at winning.

For Miller it is understandable. Unfortunately, it hinders Knox’s ability to get time on the floor. Some may say that Knox has to earn playing time (which I agree with). But there is a fine line between earning minutes and letting the youth develop.

Nick Nurse even stated that you have to let’s young players play to learn and develop.