DENVER — In a recent Knicks’ player-developmental meeting among team brass, coaches and trainers, the issue of Kevin Knox’s struggles finishing around the basket arose.
One Knicks strength-and-conditioning coach told the group that expecting the 19-year-old, 6-foot-9, 216-pounder to master the rugged skill of finishing through contact is unrealistic for this season. Knox’s body core is not yet developed enough.
Tuesday at Denver’s Pepsi Center began the new year and it looked like a new Knox. It wasn’t the 18 points Knox compiled, but the way he delivered them.
Three times in the first half, he rallied to the basket, hit a close-in runner despite getting fouled.