Rookie guard Quentin Grimes played less than two minutes in the Knicks‘ last preseason game, but he gave the team a taste of what he can contribute, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. The 25th pick in this year’s draft hit a pair of three-pointers in that short span, showing he may be a good fit with coach Tom Thibodeau’s new approach on offense.
“You have to be ready to come in and knock down shots,’’ Grimes said. “It’s definitely an adjustment — my first time ever coming off the bench or even sitting the first 46 minutes. You got to be locked in and watching the whole game. You can’t worry about if your number’s not called.’’
Grimes and fellow rookie guard Miles McBride have both been relegated to the end of the bench during preseason after making strong impressions in Summer League. However, Thibodeau indicated that he has plans for both guards.
“They are going to be good players,” he said. “It started in the Summer League, fall workout and then training camp. When it comes to get in there, get the job done. That’s what I love about both guys. Quentin went in, Miles went in right at the end of the game. Both of them played really well.”
There’s more from New York:
- Mitchell Robinson continues to make progress in his return from a broken foot and may be ready for Friday’s preseason finale, Berman adds. Thibodeau considers Robinson to be a practice away from being cleared for full contact, tweets Steve Popper of Newsday.
- Nerlens Noel will miss his third straight preseason game tonight, and he tells Berman that he’s more concerned about a hamstring injury than his knee (Twitter link).
- After years of being known for turmoil, the Knicks are enjoying a calm preseason, especially compared to their Atlantic Division rivals in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, notes Peter Botte of The New York Post. The new front office has worked to create a drama-free environment, and Thibodeau is happy with the results. “You never come in not looking forward to seeing them, being with them and working together,” he said of his players. “And when you get a group that makes that type of commitment to not only themselves but to each other, it’s special. And we’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s not going to be easy. But I look forward to doing it with these guys. They’re special.”
finally, some stability.
Been awhile right . “ In Thibs we Trust “
Credit to Leon Rose, Wes & company man. Knicks went from being a laughingstock, constantly in the news for the wrong reasons & in a few short years he’s changed the culture.
Love the players they’ve brought in, drafted and obv Thibs has been great for them. Really just need a star level player to take that next step to contender status.
The Knicks have created a team with tremendous versatility. They may not be ready to contend but they are going to win some games. Night in night out they will give teams fits. They can mix and match with legitimate NBA talent at all positions. Looking forward to see if they can improve on last season’s win total.
The only problem there is Thib’s tendency to ride his vets too hard in the regular season at the expense of the kids, even those who have shown promise or performed as well as their vet counterparts. That is one thing that has not changed in his time away from the game.
So it remains to be seen how effectively he can or will utilize all of those different pieces. Still, even if Thibs continues to be Thibs, the team will be fine on that front due to the sheer level of depth.
I like Grimes and McBride. Both are going to play mins soon enough here. I like their attitude. They know they want to be a part of this. Being an ex PG. Was hoping we get McBride. But I see Grimes with a bigger upside. He is a good size SG. When he gets his handle down. He has a chance to be special imo. Both are solid 2way players. Love 2way players. Thibs does too. Knicks strength this yr is our depth. On defense and offense. Fact we are still young. Means we WILL get better. Basically have three new starters. Fournier, Kemba, Mitch let’s do this.
Of Irving and Simmons don’t play, how likely is it that the Knicks win the division? I assume still pretty low odds.
Thibs already refusing to play guys who aren’t vets. Especially Bulls guys. I swear he’d have signed and started Taj over Luka if he’d coached Dallas 3 years ago