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Evaluating Kevin Knox’s tenure with the New York Knicks

By Holden Walter-Warner

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks runs back to defend against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Utah Jazz won, 112-104. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks runs back to defend against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Utah Jazz won, 112-104. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Kevin Knox
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 29: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 29, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Evaluating Kevin Knox’s tenure with the New York Knicks: 2018-19 – A promising rookie year

The Kevin Knox era started promisingly enough for the Knicks. As a rookie, Knox started 57 of the 75 games he played in. He averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game – all would go on to be career-highs for his Knicks career.

Knox made his regular-season debut on October 17, dropping 10 points while coming off the bench. Two nights later, he nearly doubled that total, scoring 17 in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

His best performance of the year came in a January loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Knox scored 31 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the defeat. He also managed to swipe the ball from the opponent twice.

The way Knox carried himself that season engendered goodwill among the fans. Knox looked confident on the court and seemed like he was ready to carry the weight of the beleaguered franchise. At least he had a good attitude about it.

Still, there were some noticeable warts to Knox’s game, ones that would come back and haunt him throughout his time in New York. For starters, he was not a very good defender, despite his quickness and size.

Additionally, Knox wasn’t a particularly good shooter. While he managed to hit a respectable 34.3 percent of his threes, he was only slightly better from the overall field – 37 percent. His ability to become a reliable scorer would depend on improvements from the field.

Despite the signs of trouble, however, there were more reasons for optimism entering Knox’s second season.

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