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New York Knicks: Kevin Knox’s determination defines the team’s summer

By Sam Friedman

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: NBA Draft Prospect Kevin Knox speaks to the media before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York Grand Central Terminal on June 20, 2018 in New York City. 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 Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 20: NBA Draft Prospect Kevin Knox speaks to the media before the 2018 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York Grand Central Terminal on June 20, 2018 in New York City. 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 Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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After selecting Kevin  Knox in the NBA draft, the New York Knicks summer has been defined to date by his sheer determination.

I haven’t been around for the longest time, but have had my fair share of New York Knicks travesties. There are far too many to count.

The biggest red flag has in my opinion has always been a lack of caring from the Knicks, which spawns from ownership. Players seemed to give up in games, not workout in the off-season, and generally show lack of emotion in games.

Things are changing around the Garden these days. I’ve written about it before, and I’ll definitely write about it again. The Knicks players on the team want to win basketball games. It sounds simple, but past teams haven’t shown this much fire.

If you’re as obsessive as I am, you see the social media posts of Knicks players staying in shape all summer long. Enes Kanter looks like a different person, and the guards on the team (Frank Ntilikina, Trey Burke, Damyean Dotson) are pushing each other to succeed, even in a competition for playing time.

However, earlier today, on First Take with Stephen A. Smith, rookie, Kevin Knox, told the world the Knicks are here to play.

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Right off the bat, Smith berates Knox with a bevy of questions, mostly pointed at the pressure of playing in New York City. Knox, a Kentucky product, understands, to an extent, what playing on the big stage means. However, Rupp Arena pales in comparison to Madison Square Garden.

Now, everyone knows Stephen A. Smith is a critical TV personality. He has always skips the grey areas, and tells it black and white. At the 1:25 mark, he questions the fire inside Knox’s heart. If I heard this question, I wouldn’t be that stoked.

Knox responds perfectly. He’s not worried about critics saying he’s not ready for the New York pressure. He has two things on his mind, and that’s attacking the defender in front of him, and winning basketball games.

The offensive burden that Kristaps Porzingis left won’t fall squarely on Knox’s shoulders. Burke, Kanter, and especially Tim Hardaway Jr., need to step up during Knox’s growing pains, and Porzingis’ absence.

Knox will have expectations. He showed flashes of super stardom at Kentucky, taking home SEC Freshman of the Year. After this interview with the harshest host in the business, I’m confident Knox can lead this team in the future.

dark. Next. Early draft prospects

The Knicks teams in the past seemed more about individual accolades vs. winning as a team. The current Fizdale-led squad care about winning, and each other. I smiled at my laptop like an imbecile when I learned that Porzingis and Knox face time each other.

I may sound naïve to think the Knicks will be good soon, but this is a hill I’m willing to die on

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