Brandon Knight has shown marked improvement across the board in his second NBA season, and the budding floor general looks like he might be the one who can lead Detroit back to respectability. He credits his early successes to his one season under coach John Calipari at the University of Kentucky.

“Just in that one year I was able to grow as point guard and also as an individual, as a young man,” Knight tells HOOPSWORLD. “He put a lot of things on my shoulders as far as running the team, becoming a better player. He put as much pressure on me as I did on myself, and I think that’s what really helped me. Throughout my career I’ve had coaches, great coaches who have pushed me, but he’s a different type of coach as far as wanting success out of his players and also individually.”

Knight admits coming in as a rookie point guard in the NBA can be a daunting challenge, especially during a lockout-shortened season.

“At first it definitely can be, because you’re trying to take in so much information and trying to process so many things as a young point guard,” says Knight. “Over time, things start to slow down as you play more and more.”

via Bill Ingram – HOOPSWORLD