Knight gets tested at point
Brevin Knight is receiving a quick reintroduction to the hassles of being a point guard in the Western Conference.
Knight has spent most of his 10-year career playing in the Eastern Conference. Now he’s based in the west where a Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Baron Davis or Mike Bibby awaits practically every night.
Sunday it was Davis. Thursday it was Nash.
“Nights are going to be tough, but that’s the NBA,” Knight said. “It’s a challenge, but one that I welcome.”
Knight is earning praise from the team for his defense in practices, regularly stripping his opponent, and he says the impending confrontations against the top-tier guards will be exciting.
He has eight steals in a game twice in his career.
“You go out there and prepare the best that you can and understand that to stop any of those guys one on one is tough,” he said. “So, you are going to rely on your teammates.”
Nash and Parker, according to Knight, are among the toughest point guards to defend.
“Steve dominates the ball,” he said. “He does a good job of getting people open and getting his own shots. He’s tough in and of itself. Tony is tough because of his quickness. They give him a lot of freedom to do what he wants to do.”
Coach Mike Dunleavy said the scrappiness Knight has shown throughout his career will allow him to defend well against the elite guards.
“The good news for us is I think he has the ability to do that,” Dunleavy said. “I think he’s a terrific defender and it’s always a good thing to have somebody you can put in the mix to play those types of guys.”
Grant Hill scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second quarter to lead the Phoenix Suns past the Clippers, 118-97.
The Clippers dropped to 1-3 halfway through the exhibition schedule.
Knight, Corey Maggette, Al Thornton, Tim Thomas and Chris Kaman started. Maggette scored 16 points.
Phoenix outscored the Clippers by 20 points in the second quarter and by 10 in the third. Kaman fouled out with 1:34 left in the third quarter.
--
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
