Frank Ntilikina has fallen extremely far out of the rotation after a sprained right knee kept him sidelined for 13 straight games, but the 22-year-old Frenchman must remain ready to capitalize if and when Tom Thibodeau ever decides to give him a chance.
Thibs’ reputation preceded him; the coach wants to win the basketball game that’s in front of him, and, unless there’s incontrovertible evidence otherwise, he trusts veterans more than youngsters. Further, Thibodeau only just arrived, so he’s got no loyalty to first round draft picks of years past. Amid that backdrop, Ntilikina hasn’t played a single minute since returning from injury late last month.