INDIANAPOLIS _ Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina have a couple of things in common, and already have started to bond. Now the Knicks hope they will build some on-court chemistry.
Mudiay was born in the Congo and speaks fluent French, just like Ntilikina. They've already spoken about their experiences as young players in the NBA. They're both 6-foot-5 and trying to prove they can run a team. Now they'll be doing it together.
"We're going to grow together," said Mudiay who had 14 points and 10 assists in 29 minutes of Sunday's loss to the Pacers. "At least that's what I know is the plan right now. He's 19. I'm 21. So we're both kind of close in age. He speaks French. I speak French. It's going to be fun, just trying to see how we feel each other out on the court."
The Knicks acquired Mudiay from Denver in a three-team trade Thursday. He made his Knicks debut Sunday against the Pacers.
Jeff Hornacek said the plan will be for Mudiay and Ntilikina to play together off the bench for the time being. If it works, they could share the backcourt on a regular basis.
After next week's All-Star break, Hornacek said he would likely change the lineups. That means there's a good chance that Ntilikina will replace Jarrett Jack as the starter. Jack's minutes are expected to be cut regardless since the Knicks need to evaluate their younger players.
"When we bring in another point guard and young kid in Emmanuel we have to look at things," Hornacek said. "We have a couple more games before the break. Then when we come back we have a few practices before that first game. If we're going to do something, that will be the time."
Since Mudiay and Ntilikina are both bigger guards they could play together. Mudiay gets in the paint well and Ntilikina is the better defender. They both need to work on the shots.
Mudiay is just looking forward for an opportunity after a disappointing three years with the Nuggets.
"It's a new chapter in my life," Mudiay said. "Definitely excited. I almost thought I was going to be here three years ago so the fact that I'm here now is definitely a good thing. I'm happy to be here. I wanted to be here. So it's a good thing."
Taken seventh in the same draft when the Knicks took Kristaps Porzingis fourth, Mudiay averaged 12.8 points and 5.5 assists as a rookie. But his playing time and production dipped in each of the last two seasons.
Mudiay came off the bench all 42 games he played for Denver this season, and averaged 8.5 points and 2.9 assists over 17.9 minutes.
"It's a new beginning," Mudiay said. "We're young and try to grow in that aspect future-wise. Definitely excited. Me and Frank have been talking a little bit. So excited to be around those guys and I think it'll be fun."
Mudiay said he needed a fresh start and it "was better we went our separate ways." But he said he learned a lot from his Denver experience.
"Just adversity, how to fight through adversity," Mudiay said. "Coming in at 19 _ Frank can kind of speak on that. I see I how he's handling it, too. I talked to him about that. So coming in at 19 you've got so much on you, stuff like that.
"Coming out of high school I was kind of given everything, the easy route. So that was my first time kind of going through something. I think it formed me well. I didn't hold my head down. I always tried to just control what I could control and work as hard as I could."
