New York Knicks: 3 players off to the hottest starts in 2021-22

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks reacts after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter of a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Orlando Magic (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

New York Knicks players off to the hottest starts in 2021-22: 2. Evan Fournier

Over the summer, NBA superstar Damian Lillard correctly noticed that some foreign NBA players tend to perform better when playing for their national teams. Up until now, the Knicks seem to have gotten France Evan Fournier on their roster, who was the third-best scorer in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, and the fourth-best scorer in the 2020 Olympics.

Fournier was one of the signings that were supposed to help with the team’s offense moving forward. Last year, Julius Randle looked absolutely isolated at times and the front office took notice of that.

During these opening six games, Fournier has been averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 45% from behind the arc. In fact, his opening statement was quite extravagant, as he tied his career-high of 32 points and lifted the Knicks over his previous team, the Boston Celtics, in a double-overtime victory.

When dealing with an elite defense like the Knicks, a high-quality volume shooter like Evan Fournier is exactly what you need. Even if he fails to keep his numbers at these out-of-this-world levels, he is set for success in a Knicks uniform.

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