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Brandon Knight News & Rumors

Brandon Knight isn't resting on his rookie laurels with Pistons
May 25
Detroit Free Press
 
"Brandon Knight didn't take much time off. With less than a month since the Pistons concluded the regular season with a victory over the 76ers, their point guard was at the practice facility for a 3-hour workout alongside backcourt mate Rodney Stuckey, who has been a regular pretty much since the off-season began. It shows Knight, 20, is eager to improve on his promising rookie season -- he was named to the NBA's first-team all-rookie squad this week. He averaged 12.8 points and 3.8 assists in playing a rookie-high 2,129 minutes."
Pistons' Brandon Knight makes NBA All-Rookie team
May 23
Detroit News
 
"Many around the league believed Pistons rookie Brandon Knight and his strong play would be ignored because of the team's struggles. Not so. Knight, the eighth pick in last June's draft out of Kentucky, was named to the All-Rookie First Team by the league's coaches Tuesday, along with Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving (Cleveland), Minnesota's Ricky Rubio, Golden State's Klay Thompson, Denver's Kenneth Faried, San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard and New York's Iman Shumpert."
Pistons' Knight finishes 8th in rookie voting
May 16
Detroit News
 
"Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving was named Rookie of the Year by the NBA Tuesday morning. Irving, the first pick in last June's draft, averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 assists, and received 117 of the 120 first-place votes. Minnesota's Ricky Rubio and Denver's Kenneth Faried finished second and third, respectively."
Brandon Knight intends to be All-Star, Pistons leader
April 25
Detroit News
 
"This might sound a bit selfish, but Brandon Knight wants to be an All-Star. His reasons, however, aren't selfish. Knight figures that if he is an All-Star, it likely means the Pistons have turned things around. "I am not going to sit here and say I don't want to be an All-Star," said Knight, a rookie. "My goals are to be as good as I can possibly be. If that is All-Star status, then I will take it. "But mostly for me it is making sure that this team is competing for a playoff spot and eventually a championship run.""
Pistons rookie Brandon Knight preparing for important offseason
April 22
Detroit News
 
"Much will be made of the last week of Ben Wallace's career, and rightly so, but as the Pistons prepare to celebrate their glorious past, perhaps the biggest key to their future is right before our eyes. The education of Brandon Knight is just beginning as his first season is ending. Think about this for a moment. Two years ago, Knight was a senior in high school, preparing to attend the University of Kentucky for his lone season. Now he's about to enter what could be the biggest offseason of his career. "It's a huge summer between your first and second year," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. "After your first, you're a (legit) NBA player. Some people sail a little bit, think 'I've"
Aggressive play brings results for Pistons' Brandon Knight
March 13
Detroit News
 
"One person didn't view Brandon Knight's breakout game on Saturday night as a breakout: Knight himself. Knight jumped out like a rocket in the Pistons' blowout win over the Toronto Raptors, atoning for two low volume performances in wins against the Lakers and Hawks (six points, seven assists total). He scored all 19 of his points in the first half and finished with seven assists. "I just started more aggressive, getting in the paint," Knight said. "It was that and my teammates put me in a position to do that. I wasn't dragging, shots just weren't falling.""
Pistons' Brandon Knight is learning quickly
March 5
Detroit News
 
"Watching how point guards naturally progress is an interesting process. Pistons coach Lawrence Frank made it a point to commend Pistons rookie Brandon Knight on his improvement in these unusual circumstances. "When you're going through the league the first time, as much preparation as you do, there's still on-the-job training," Frank said. "You see how he responds the next time against the same opponent." That's an area where tangible advancement can be charted. Knight had a miserable game against Brandon Jennings and the Bucks on Jan. 30. But when they met four days later, Knight had one of his best games as a pro, putting up 26 points and seven assists."
Pistons rookie Brandon Knight playing up to expectations
March 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"A dose of reality has tempered talks that the upcoming NBA draft class will be the best since the 2003 draft produced LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Expectations are lowered because many potential lottery picks -- including Ohio State's Jared Sullinger, UConn's Andre Drummond, North Carolina's Harrison Barnes and Baylor's Perry Jones -- are not having seasons up to expectations. Another reason is the draft class lacks great point guard prospects. DraftExpress.com rates the best point guard prospect as Weber State's Damian Lillard, who currently is considered a borderline lottery talent."
Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight look like future Pistons building blocks
February 24
Detroit Free Press
 
"Joe Dumars paused for a moment before answering the question. Last week, he was sitting at his customary table where he watches Pistons coach Lawrence Frank run the team through its practices when he was asked: "Should Greg Monroe have been an All-Star this season?" After taking that moment to consider, one would think the Pistons president of basketball operations would have enthusiastically answered in the affirmative for his second-year center."
Pistons GM wants more All-Star invites for Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe
February 22
Detroit Free Press
 
"It appears the past two drafts have yielded two building blocks for the Pistons' rebuilding efforts. President of basketball operations Joe Dumars couldn't be more pleased. Dumars was asked last week about his thoughts on second-year center Greg Monroe and rookie point guard Brandon Knight being selected to participate in the NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night as part of the NBA's All-Star weekend in Orlando. Both were picked to play for Shaquille O'Neal's team against Charles Barkley's team in the game with the league's brightest rookies and sophomores."
Could Knight be Stuckey's backcourt soul mate?
February 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"It's quite apparent that Rodney Stuckey likes playing with rookie point guard Brandon Knight. After they combined for 59 points and 10 assists in Friday night's 114-108 victory over the Kings at the Palace, Stuckey talked openly of growing with Knight as they join forces to form the backcourt of the future for the Pistons. Stuckey repeated that theme Saturday after a workout at the practice facility. "He's a great kid," Stuckey said. "He comes in with an attitude to learn and get better. He's always positive, and there's nothing really negative about him. Having that kind of energy around you helps you and picks you up.""
Pistons rookie Brandon Knight having positive effect on veteran Rodney Stuckey
February 19
Detroit News
 
"Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey stood in front of his locker Friday night, answering questions in his usual monotone, when he was asked if he fouled Sacramento's Jason Thompson on a block attempt late in the third quarter. As Stuckey began to give his standard answer, a voice piped in from across the room: "Yo, that was a great play." The voice was rookie guard Brandon Knight, who was smiling as he exited. Then Stuckey smiled, an act we hadn't seen much of over the past few years. It might not mean much on the surface, but basketball has seemed like a chore to Stuckey. He didn't really enjoy the game. After all, nobody likes losing and combined with the turmoil he had a part in last season,"
Pistons Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe to play in rookie-sophomore All-Star game
February 9
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons' last two first-round draft picks will represent the team on the All-Star weekend stage. Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight have been named to the NBA's rookie-sophomore game, which will be played in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 24. Monroe, also a candidate to be an All-Star reserve, is averaging team-highs in points (16.3 ppg) and rebounds (9.9 rpg) in 32.9 minutes per game. Knight, a rookie, is averaging 12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 32.0 minutes."
Brandon Knight becomes man in the mask for Pistons
February 8
Detroit News
 
"Pistons guard Brandon Knight stayed longer after practice Tuesday, getting acclimated to his new friend: A plastic mask. "It's my first time shooting with it," said Knight, who didn't go through any contact drills. After going through shooting drills with assistant Ryan Hoover, Knight emphatically threw it down and cracked a joke before talking to reporters. Knight was fitted for the mask Monday, and it looks similar to the ones worn by Richard Hamilton and Charlie Villanueva."
Brandon Knight (broken nose) will be Pistons' latest masked man
February 7
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons can't seem to go without a masked man. Pistons rookie guard Brandon Knight broke his nose early in Saturday's victory over New Orleans and wasn't at practice Monday due to preparation for his latest accessory. "He was fit for a mask early this morning," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. "He'll get an actual mask this afternoon and we'll go from there." Former guard Richard Hamilton famously wore a mask for years, and Charlie Villanueva donned one during his first season in Detroit after breaking his nose. There's a good chance Knight will be available for Wednesday's game in New Jersey, and he could have some company."
Pistons' guard Brandon Knight stung by Hornet's elbow, breaks nose
February 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Trying to win back-to-back games for the second time this season, and minus Ben Gordon (shoulder), Will Bynum (left foot) and Charlie Villanueva, the Pistons continued to suffer from the injury bug when rookie point guard Brandon Knight went down at about the 7-minute mark of the first quarter after receiving a blow to the face and suffered a broken nose in the team's 89-87 victory over New Orleans (4-20) Saturday night at the Palace. "He has a broken nose. They'll have to reset it, get him fit for a mask and hopefully by Tuesday we'll have him back at practice," said coach Lawrence Frank. "To give him unbelievable credit, he has a broken nose and he's begging those guys to get back in the"
Pistons win second straight, but Brandon Knight breaks nose
February 5
Detroit News
 
"Tayshaun Prince looked weary and beaten up as he slipped on a sweater to battle the February cold. He'd just played his seventh game in nine nights and looked forward to a day off to relax around the house and stay under the covers. "Man, I can't keep up with these young guys anymore," he joked. "Sometimes you are so tired that you can't even go to sleep." The Pistons will get a chance to recharge their batteries following a high-energy 89-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets Saturday night at The Palace — a second consecutive victory. The Pistons don't play again until Wednesday, when they fly to New Jersey to play the Nets. That's an eternity in today's lockout-shortened season where"
Pistons rookie Brandon Knight learns lesson
February 1
Detroit News
 
"Rookies getting torched happens, but it occurs to point guards with more frequency. So it wasn't surprising to see Pistons rookie Brandon Knight go through the gamut Monday against the Bucks Brandon Jennings, one of the league's hottest point men. Jennings dominated Knight, scoring 21 as Knight went scoreless for the first time in his career in a 103-82 loss to the Bucks. In a way, it seems like a rite of passage for point guards to have an older player light them up. "Heck, I've seen a Hall of Fame point guard go through it," said Pistons coach Lawrence Frank, referring to Jason Kidd. "If you're struggling and the other guy has it going, it happens.""
Brandon Knight shrugs off key misses
January 26
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons have endured their share of losses so far this season, but rarely in a tight situation. That's why it was not shocking to see rookie Brandon Knight miss two crucial free throws down the stretch of a close game. Late free throws against the reigning Eastern Conference champions, no less. Knight, an 81 percent free-throw shooter, had the chance to give the Pistons a five-point lead with 1:25 left. The nearly-full Palace crowd was rocking and Knight had a chance to really put some pressure on the Heat."
Guarded optimism for Pistons guards Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey
January 24
Detroit Free Press
 
"It's fairly well known how NBA teams are going to attack offensively. The point guard runs a lot of high pick-and-rolls with the big men. Two-guards come off baseline screens with small forwards doing a little post-up and running off screens as well. So there's a premium on having players who can attack in transition, come off screens, play pick-and-roll and beat defenders off the dribble. That's part of the benefits of having a starting backcourt of Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight."
Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe help Pistons get first road win
January 15
Detroit News
 
"A quiet arena. It was a new experience for this year's Pistons when they played the Charlotte Bobcats Friday night. They jumped on the Bobcats early, then ran away to their first road victory, 98-81 at a hushed Time Warner Cable Arena. One night after giving Lawrence Frank hope a consistent 48-minute performance was indeed possible, the Pistons ended their six-game losing streak. The Pistons (3-9) had to sense the Bobcats (2-10) were a wounded bunch coming off a 30-point loss to the Hawks, especially after Bobcats coach Paul Silas questioned his team's desire."
Pistons fall despite Brandon Knight's 23 points
December 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"In the few weeks Pistons coach Lawrence Frank has been with his team he has worked mostly on the defensive end of the floor. And that makes you wonder how bad things could have been when the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled into the Palace on Wednesday night and blazed away at a 57.1% clip for a 105-89 victory. As new owner Tom Gores watched the home opener from a suite, the Pistons fell behind by as much as 17 points before eventually falling to 0-2 on the season. "The thing that's very disappointing is we've devoted the majority of our time on the defensive end, and to have that kind of performance is very disappointing," Frank said. "Offensively it's going to be a work in progress, but"
If the Pistons' future is now, Brandon Knight must run the show
December 26
Detroit News
 columnist John Niyo
"Brandon Knight, the Pistons' rookie point guard, was shooting buckets at one end of the court inside the team's practice facility late last week, joking around with his new backcourt mate, Rodney Stuckey. At the same time, Lawrence Frank, the Pistons' new coach, was at the other end of the court, joking around with the media while shooting down the suggestion that his 20-year-old lottery pick might need to be handled with kid gloves. Even in this lockout-shortened NBA season, what with the compressed schedule and limited practice time after an abbreviated training camp and only two exhibition games. "How do you know when you've overloaded the rookie?" Frank was asked. "What are the warning"
Cleveland's Kyrie Irving, Detroit Pistons Brandon Knight set for a long duel
December 21
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Kyrie Irving and Brandon Knight looked at each other and laughed. It was the final minutes of Friday's exhibition game, their first in the NBA, and they were on the floor at winning time against each other. Irving and Knight were rivals on the summer-camp circuit, vying to become the nation's top high school point guard. The competition continues on a new level -- and they are going to see a lot of each other. They met for a second time in five days Tuesday night, as Irving and the Cavaliers hosted Knight and the Detroit Pistons in the final preseason game at The Q. It's just the beginning for two rookie guards trying to resurrect Central Division franchises. "It's really an interesting"
Brandon Knight's fire in fourth quarter gives Pistons 90-89 exhibition victory
December 21
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons' meaningless exhibition season is over, but Brandon Knight showed he likes winning, no matter the stage. Knight's 7-0 run in the fourth quarter got the Pistons back into the game, and his tipped pass led to Austin Daye's winning free throws as the Pistons rebounded to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 90-89, Tuesday at Quicken Loans Arena. Daye led the Pistons in scoring for the second straight exhibition game, with 19 points and six rebounds. Knight had seven points, six assists and six turnovers. Omri Casspi's jumper with 1:50 left broke an 84-84 tie and he led the Cavaliers with 18 points."
Pistons rookie Brandon Knight shows potential in debut
December 17
Detroit Free Press
 
"Yeah, this kid might just be OK. That's probably a bit of understatement, but a little caution is needed for Pistons fans who are suddenly a little bit more excited about the future. That's because rookie point guard Brandon Knight showed glimpses of star power in Friday night's 91-87 loss to the Cavs in the first game of the two-game exhibition set. Round 2 -- and another Knight-Kyrie Irving matchup -- is set for Tuesday at Cleveland. Knight's stats were modest (nine points, four assists in 22 minutes), but he showed a feel for the point guard position and had a few eye-opening plays. "I felt confident in myself and knew I could play at this level, and I was happy to make some plays and"
Pistons rookie Brandon Knight: 'I love to compete'
December 9
Detroit News
 
"Pistons first-round draft pick Brandon Knight arrived in Detroit on Tuesday, where he had dinner with his head coach for the first time. Lawrence Frank's message to his rookie point guard was simple. "Just come in and work hard," Knight said. "We're trying to change the culture here in Detroit. We're trying to get better from top to bottom." He didn't spend a lot of time in the area during the lockout but stayed in shape working out in California and Kentucky (where he attended college). "I'm fortunate to come to a situation where everyone will be in a learning environment," Knight said. "I still have to fit in because most of these guys have been in the league.""
Pistons rookie Brandon Knight suffers ankle injury in Kentucky exhibition
October 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"With the NBA lockout still going on, Brandon Knight found a new job on Tuesday. Nursing a minor ankle sprain, Knight sat out of an exhibition game between former Kentucky and Western Kentucky players but ended up coaching his team. "It was a really fun experience," said Knight, the eighth overall selection by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA draft. "I had a lot of fun coaching and talking to the guys." Knight hurt his ankle in a "Big Blue All-Stars" exhibition played Monday as the last event in a nine-game tour against small Kentucky colleges."
Knight wants to be healthy role model
October 9
Detroit Free Press
 
"One look at Brandon Knight reveals he probably was not concerned about obesity when he was a child. Standing 6-feet-4 and weighing a svelte 183 pounds, Knight probably will gain a few pounds whenever strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander can get him an off-season workout program at the Pistons' practice facility. But the subject of childhood obesity is important to Knight -- as evidenced by the short speech he gave to students at Mark Twain Elementary-Middle School in southwest Detroit on Friday."
Pistons' locked-out rookie Brandon Knight won't go overseas
October 8
Detroit News
 
"The NBA is in the dark because of the lockout, but that didn't stop local elementary school kids from being excited about seeing the newest Piston. Brandon Knight, the seventh pick in June's draft, made a visit to Mark Twain Elementary School, located on Detroit's west side, on Friday afternoon. He spoke to the students about fitness and getting proper exercise. "It's something that I like to do — give back," Knight said. "Now that I'm in the position I'm in, I can talk about fitness and things with kids. "A lot of kids are becoming more obese and I think that's something we should focus on." After speaking to the students about the importance of fitness, he participated in drills and"
Pistons' draftee Brandon Knight to speak at Detroit elementary school
September 30
Detroit Free Press
 
"Although he isn't officially a signed Piston yet, first-round draft pick Brandon Knight will make an appearance Oct. 7 in Detroit. Knight, a 6-foot-3 combo guard from Kentucky, is scheduled to appear at Mark Twain Elementary School to speak to students. Knight has yet to sign a contract with the Pistons because of the ongoing NBA lockout that is threatening the start of the regular season, scheduled to begin for the Pistons on Nov. 2 against the Indiana Pacers. Knight, 19, spent time this summer working out and taking classes at Kentucky."
Brandon Knight: 'I'm definitely happy to be here in Detroit'
June 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"There was a lot of teeth-gnashing in the Twitter-verse and local talk radio over Brandon Knight's reaction to being picked by the Pistons eighth overall during Thursday night's NBA draft. As he walked across the stage to shake NBA commissioner David Stern's hand, there was barely a hint of a smile from Knight, a combo guard from Kentucky. And with that, Knight, 19, received his first lesson about folks around here — unless you are doing back flips and smiling like you just won the lottery, you must not want to come to Detroit. (Even if you thought you were going in the top five and were disappointed about falling in the draft.) So when he was introduced to the local media at a news"
Brandon Knight makes it clear: I'm happy to be a Piston
June 26
Detroit News
 
"Pistons first-round draft pick Brandon Knight put to rest speculation he was disappointed about coming to Detroit during his introductory news conference Saturday. "It's a great feeling," Knight said. "I'm a serious guy, and I always try to be calm and collected." The Pistons introduced Knight, as well as second-round draft picks Kyle Singler (Duke) and Vernon Macklin (Florida). Knight was expected to go as high as third overall to Utah, but he slipped to the Pistons at eight. Of Knight falling, Pistons president Joe Dumars said it was "better to be lucky than good." With Thursday's activity, during which many teams made trades to move up, the Pistons sat back, changed their plan to get a"
There's a lot to like about Pistons draft pick Brandon Knight
June 25
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Michael Rosenberg
"This was a chaotic, unpredictable, wild NBA draft, with players rising and falling, teams stunned by the players taken in front of them, and the Minnesota Timberwolves panicking and drafting two stay-at-home defensemen. And in Detroit, it produced a shocking result: You will like your team again. Brandon Knight is not a savior, but he doesn't act like he thinks he is a savior. Knight is the Greg Monroe of point guards -- a potential All-Star with an impeccable reputation and the right values. The Pistons would have preferred taller players like Jonas Valanciunas or Jan Vesely, because centers and power forwards are hard to find in the NBA. But the guy they got might turn out to be better."