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Frank Ntilikina moved by praise from his idol’s head coach

The Knicks didn’t come close to winning this past Thursday in San Antonio, but Spurs coach Gregg Popovich did notice one thing: Phil Jackson drafted a good one at point guard.

Sixteen years after Tony Parker became the NBA’s first French point guard, Frank Ntilikina is doing his native country proud in weaving a commendable rookie year as the No. 8 pick in the draft. Ntilikina played his season-high minutes (31:43) in San Antonio and notched a season-high 11 assists. He also slowed down Parker with his reputed on-ball pressure after the French legend got off to a fast start.