Knicks guard Derrick Rose still doesn’t have his wind back after contracting the coronavirus last month, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes.
Rose, who missed 10 games due to the virus and an ankle sprain, had significant symptoms and described his bout as having the flu “times 10.” He’s served as a key cog for New York this year, averaging 11.9 points, four assists and 25 minutes in 16 games.
“Having COVID, coming back in, missing the game, just trying to get my rhythm, trying to get my timing down, trying to get my wind, but that’s going to come,” Rose said, as relayed by Berman. “I’m trying to use these last 20-something games to prep myself for a playoff series.
“It’s going to take some time, but it’s going day by day, practice by practice, and in the game, quarter by quarter. I had a pretty good half last game and now the goal is to have two legit halves and just play as hard as I can so I can build up my wind.”
There’s more out of New York today:
- John Henson will miss Friday’s game against Memphis due to a calf strain, according to Berman (Twitter link). Henson is under a 10-day contract with the team and may not see time due to the injury. The 30-year-old is in his ninth NBA season and holds past experience with Milwaukee, Cleveland and Detroit.
- Immanuel Quickley denied that he’s hitting the well-documented “rookie wall,” Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News writes. As Bondy details, Quickley is shooting just 31% in his last seven games, working to get through a slump. “As far as the rookie wall, I don’t really feel it,” Quickley said. “I’m just gonna continue to do whatever’s got me here,” he said. “There’s gonna be ups and downs throughout a season, ups and downs throughout a game.”
- RJ Barrett continues to make strides in his second NBA season, Steve Popper of Newsday writes. Barrett has increased his scoring average from 14.3 to 17.5 points per game this year, also raising his shooting marks from 40% to 45% from the field and 32% to 38% from deep. “He’s coming into his own and knowing who he is as a player,” teammate Julius Randle said. “Down the stretch, he’s getting to his spots. He’s playing well. Very comfortable and continuing to grow as a player.”
Why would you sign John Henson and not someone who can score?
Because Thibs wont let you play if you cant play DEE.Quickley would get 28 mins per game.(i think he should)
Probably because he is not going to play much unless either Noel or Gibson gets hurt.
I know. If Knicks had Alize Johnson and This actually played him they’d have won that game.
Where do you get a scorer now. And one who fits your system. Quickly % is down, you get that right. Teams are figuring him out. Knicks don’t have a third consistent scorer. That comes next yr. Who they miss is Mitch. Knicks are 1 – 5 since he broke his leg. For the yr Knicks are 25-27. Without Mitch 11-14 , both injuries. Schedule is tougher now hence the 1-5 record since he broke his leg. Burkes, Bullock, Quickly, Rose, Payton, all have to step up offensively. Teams know if they key on Randle or RJ. Then it’s tough for Knicks to get points.
RJ is having a great second yr. He’s going to be a great 2way player. He is only 20 still getting better. Knicks biggest need is a consistent third scorer. Preferably a shooter, scorer. But a lead traditional PG is also a big need. Payton is a solid backup. With Quickly and Rose here we don’t need him an Nttilikina. We got the draft and FA to upgrade team significantly next yr. Knicks could even make a major trade. Playoffs are within reach. So you have to go for it. We will need everyone to step up and help RJ n Randle. If we are going to do it. Rebuilding is still most important thing about this yr. And and we are ahead of pace on that front.
Barrett has his moments where you can see the future potential. Has the length. IDK if he’ll ever be a playmaker but I could see him as an efficient second option + plus defender in a few seasons.
Just needs a softer touch around the rim Imo … seeems to still be calibrating NBA speed/length/recovery time ….Im sure his whole life those blow bys have resulted in easy layups, now hes got to float it over a legit 7’5 wingspan + every night and use angles/touch/backboard more effectively than just laying it in. Hes got all the tools in the tool chest tho and thats what you wanna see
Julius Randle informs us that “down the stretch, RJ is getting to his spots… getting comfortable”.
Foundation keepers.
Speaking of big shoulders… MitchR’s are ideal, literally, but not as much fuguratively.
Barrett is improving significantly even during this season, specifically the last 20-30 games. He talked about Jimmy Butler telling him to go into their body more when he gets in the paint to stop exposing the ball and turning it over, and I feel like he is finishing better since then. When their few other shooters are on the floor with him, he has been able to knock down more 3s, which is a big deal. If he shoots it, that makes him way more dangerous moving forward.
I’m curious to see what they do with their guards b/c they have a few guys that can be ball stopped, and some redundancy there. Burks spaces the floor best, of those guys, obviously not including Quickley in that area. When Birks gets more opportunities, they’re better, but his situation is the main reason I have talked about their need for shooting at the 2/3
Courtney Lee is one of a few examples of a shooter on the wing that is currently available, and he defends, and has been there before. There are a few interesting young guys still out there. Kyle Korver could make sense for them, with his comfortablility with Thibs, Derrick Rose, and Taj Gibson, and their defense around him. Glenn Robinson probably fits better on a couple of other teams, but he is still there as well…I could also see them letting both their 10 day bigs leave and go for a depth big that can space the floor like Vonleh, Thon Maker, or Skal Labissiere