Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has already removed Kemba Walker from his rotation and more changes could be coming after Saturday’s embarrassing loss, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. Thibodeau gave his players the day off Sunday to reflect on their recent downturn, and Popper suggests that the coach may also have needed time away to study his lineups and see how he can improve them.
“The thing is, if we’re not performing well, look, there may be more changes coming,” Thibodeau said. “That’s the thing . . . I like our group, I like the way they approach it. We all put our stuff together. We’ve got to focus together and we’ve got to work our way out of it together. That’s the way it is.”
The Knicks are starting a three-game road trip and Thibodeau told reporters that the changes may begin with Tuesday’s game in San Antonio, tweets Barbara Barker of Newsday. The most troubling concern, according to Popper, is that the team has lost the identity it had last season when it finished fourth in the East.
There’s more from New York City:
- Walker spoke to reporters today for the first time since the demotion (video link from SNY.tv). He admitted being surprised by the decision, but said he won’t become a negative influence in the locker room. “At the end of the day, there are some young guys here who look up to me,” Walker said. “Maybe I can be a role model. I love being around my teammates and I’m going to cheer them on until I can’t anymore.”
- The Knicks’ analytics department had an influential role in the signing of Walker, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Berman considers it to be a curious decision because Walker’s numbers on pick-and-roll efficiency, isolation efficiency and pull-up shooting last season were his worst of the past five years.
- James Harden ranks second in the league in assists after taking over the Nets‘ playmaking duties, but his shooting woes continued in Saturday’s loss to the Bulls, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. Harden shot just 5-of-21 from the field and is at a career-worst 40.3% through the first 23 games of the season. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer recommends that Harden work on developing a mid-range game.
- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has strengthened the city’s vaccine mandate, which makes it less likely that Kyrie Irving will play for the Nets this season, tweets Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
When a player is No. 1 overall pick, he has pride in his mind.
Examples are Simmons and Irving.
Exception is Wiggins, humble.
Wiggins had another top game tonight . 28 points, 8 for 10 from three , and as Kerr pointed out, he is always assigned to guard the opponent’s best scorer. Two-way Wiggs!!!
Still way overpaid.
Who in the world is advising Irving? It’s not just about losing half of his contract this year. It could be about losing out on $200m+ because no team might offer him another super max contract. Mind boggling to say the least. It has to be mental issues; he just doesnt enjoy playing basketball anymore. Unfortunately, his career might be near the end. :(
Mental issues? Why because he doesn’t believe in taking a vaccine and standing up for his beliefs? For money? If he believes that I have no issue in him taking his stand..
Totally. The argument that Kyrie has mental issues falls pretty flat.
He’s had them for years!
Way before any pandemic!
Thats not what he said.
Kyrie said he has no problem with vaccines but does not like the Government mandating them. This is an even dumber argument since he could just take the vaccine and then fight for what he believes and still get paid AND that this issue has been resolved by the Supreme Court over 75 years ago.
But yeah Kyrie is persecuted. LOL
The amount of people looking at FG% over eFG% always is funny. But yea harden needs to up his shot selection a little more or sink a few more treys because both his percentages are a little less than career.
Kyrie Irving not getting vaccinated, and not playing is new information about him? I would assume he wouldn’t change his mind regardless of a softening or hardened change in policies by the NYC mayor. Duh!
Since he is, a bust, letdown, poor leader, bad role-model, team-mate, intellectual, and basketball player… Why write a snippet about? He would go away faster if everyone ignored him
Because people are interested and websites want clicks? You think?
Does KD even regret signing extension with Brooklyn? My guess is No because he would never admit to it publicly
Let me clarify then:
No, I don’t think it would get clicks from rational, intelligent people, and it’s an obvious attempt to steer a narrative
This “News” is 7 years old, since 2015, and “flat earth”
When is tired, and dumb, tired, and dumb?
Please re-clarify
You clicked on it.
I did?
Because I thought I was getting information on Tom Thibodeau & Kemba Walker about the roster rotation, and if Walker would be back in it again
Not a 7 year old “Slam Kyrie Irving” media narrative
I could care less, but it’s not about basketball, and I don’t like whining, or click bait
#LetKyriePlay
Berman now ragging on Kemba. Funny how things change. Man has NO integrity, none.
link to nypost.com
It’s never one guys fault. When a Team plays this bad. People who know better. Shouldn’t be so quick to jump on and off the bandwagon.
Personally I think Randle is not a Kemba fan. Knicks have a good stretch this month. To make things right. The schedule favors them in Dec. So they better wake up. And Thibs better be on the ball. Time to man up.
Thibs is coaching like a deer in the Head lights. Dolan been back at cour side and he has been quite as a church mouse on Sunday so it’s going get interesting real soon if this free fall continues. And as bad as Kemba looked defensively the whole starting 5 was a mess and it’s on the coach to get this team out this funk. I don’t want him to start D Rose who has come down to earth lately and has been turn over happy. Start IQ Obi or Grimes and bench RJ Barrett or Mitch who both have regressed like Thibs lack of offense and hair. I honestly think Thibs is losing this team and some of these guys are tired of no ball movement offense.
Al you were spot on about Mitch regression since his so called bulking up and weight gain he has clearly lost his leaping and his defense. And his inept offense has gotten worse. Teams leave Mitch to double Randal because they know his lack of offense gives them more gambling options during games. Mitch got burned by the Chicago Center and by Jokic so all the weight lifting ain’t do him no good . I’m sorry I would trade him for Myles Turner or Sabonis in a Heartbeat. A Seven Footer averaging 6 points and seven rebounds is a joke and he ain’t looking like the Franchise starting center of the future we all thought he would be. I use to think he was the next Marcus Camby but he is now starting to look like the next Bill Cartwright. RJ and Mitch are playing like back ups who both need to be benched ASAP.
Why would the Pacers make such a stupid trade like that?
Knicks should call Dallas about Kemba. I’d even give them back their draft pick if they’d take his contract.
Berman applying analytics? Someone should tape it and put it on YouTube. Basic arithmetic proved difficult for him during the last FA period as he advised on the Knicks’ cap space. Maybe he’s been brushing up. He’s got the time.