Throughout the summer, the Knicks spoke of their impending rebuilding around a core of young players — draft-pick point guard Frank Ntilikina, athletic free agent Tim Hardaway Jr., All-Rookie Team center Willy Hernangomez and New York’s favorite unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis.
Finally, the rebuilt squad was ready for its home unveiling Saturday as the Knicks, after a season-opening thumping in Oklahoma City, faced the Pistons. But the blueprint was altered.
Ntilikina was hurt — again — and Hernangomez is down on the depth chart, somewhere south of Kyle O’Quinn. Hey, Hardaway played. Allegedly. And Porzingis was his team-high-scoring self.