Kevin Knox and the Knicks face the Lakers on Friday at 10:30 p.m. And though LeBron James won't be playing due to a groin injury, Knicks head coach David Fizdale hopes to arrange a meeting between New York's rookie and the three-time NBA champion.
"Just tell Kevin don't get too high or too low with all of the scrutiny that comes with it," Fizdale said about what he hopes James can teach Knox, according to the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy. "Cause he's been through all of that stuff, all of the highs of winning and losing and the criticisms that come with all of that stuff. So any of the guys that I've coached that I could utilize I'm going to try and steal them."
Fizdale was an assistant coach with the Heat when James was with Miami, where they won two NBA titles together, so they do have a good rapport. But it wouldn't be the first time Knox met James.
The 19-year-old Knox, who was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December, met him at a Nike camp while he was in high school. Though he said he looked up to Kevin Durant growing up -- Knox missed October's Knicks-Warriors matchup due to an injury -- Knox said James "probably is the greatest person to ever play the game of basketball."
While Knox didn't enter the league with as high expectations as James, who has lived up to all those expectations ever since he was declared "The Chosen One" as a high schooler, that doesn't mean the Knicks rookie doesn't hold himself to high standards, either.
"It would be a great opportunity. I'm a young guy, he came into the league young as well," Knox said of James. "I'll be able to get a lot of tips from him as far as me growing up and getting better as a person and as a player."
Knox joined James in the NBA history book last month when he became the second teenager to record a 25-point, 15-rebound double-double.
If Fizdale has his way, that won't be the only way Knox and James bond.