He was very well on his way to finishing his match with 100% shooting success. For someone who had yet to step on an NBA floor this season, Kevin Knox showed he could make the baskets.
A few days after signing his return to Detroit for $2 million, the former Knicks prospect was thrown into the deep end by Monty Williams in the first quarter of the trip to Chicago. After his entry, he took advantage of a vain interception attempt by DeMar DeRozan to find himself all alone at 3-points. This first converted shot gave him confidence.
He then alternated between finishes at the circle and 3-point baskets. Above all, while his team was being manhandled, the winger allowed them to stay in contact, within one or two possessions, in the fourth quarter. Five minutes from the end, the 9th choice of the 2018 Draft even had the opportunity to bring his team to one point.
But his winning shot did not go in. It was his first and only missed basket of the evening. After the match, lost by Detroit, the 24-year-old recalled that he was capable of “ Alright » shoot. Even if his career percentages (39% on shots, including 34% from distance) contradict his speech and his nightly performance.
Several shooters absent
“ But the most important thing is to be competitive on defense, to be able to defend in several positions. Then, on offense, I try to find what I can do to help the team. A lot of guys are out, injured guys who can shoot and that’s what they need », Judge Kevin Knox, referring to the absences of Joe Harris or Bojan Bogdanovic.
Already a member of the Pistons last year and author of several offensive cards in the end of the Blazers’ “garbage” season, he had the good idea to catch the eye of his new coach by finishing as his team’s top scorer: 18 points on 7/8 shots, including 4/5 from distance, 3 rebounds and 1 assist (towards Marvin Bagley III under the circle as money time approaches) in 24 minutes.
“ It wasn’t just the offense, I found his defense solid. For someone who wasn’t in our group, I found him to be pretty solid defensively. His skill, his ability to clear the play, his willingness to take these shots… He made penetrations this evening that we like in our system “, likes Monty Williams.
| Kevin Knox | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | NYK | 75 | 29 | 37.0 | 34.3 | 71.7 | 0.8 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 12.8 |
| 2019-20 | NYK | 65 | 18 | 35.9 | 32.7 | 65.3 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 6.5 |
| 2020-21 | NYK | 42 | 11 | 39.2 | 39.3 | 80.0 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 3.9 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 30 | 7 | 36.5 | 27.8 | 72.7 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 3.1 |
| 2021-22 * | ATL | 17 | 7 | 35.6 | 19.2 | 75.0 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.7 |
| 2021-22 * | NYK | 13 | 9 | 37.5 | 35.7 | 70.0 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 3.6 |
| 2022-23 | DET | 7 | 8 | 26.1 | 13.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.0 |
| Total | 219 | 19 | 36.7 | 33.6 | 70.5 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 7.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
