Guard Jalen Brunson is already making an impact on the Knicks both on and off the court, writes Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Brunson was New York’s primary free agency target, inking him to a four-year, $104MM deal.
“I love the way he can control and manage a game,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said after Brunson scored 16 points (7-for-9 shooting) and handed out five assists on Tuesday. “To me, that’s the No. 1 function of a point guard. So he doesn’t get sped up, he doesn’t get rattled. I love the way, Julius (Randle) the third quarter, that was terrific. So I think it’s a calming influence.”
According to Begley, Brunson has begun connecting with the team’s younger players, giving advice and spending extra hours with them in the gym. He’s been shooting with Immanuel Quickley at night, and Quickley calls him an “encouraging presence,” per Begley.
“He’s tremendous. From the moment he signed, just being in the gym everyday. He’s not a rah rah type guy (as a leader),” Thibodeau said. “He just does all the right things and when he gets out there, he’s ready to execute.”
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Thibodeau isn’t the only member of the Knicks praising Brunson. Power forward Julius Randle recently raved about his new teammate, as Peter Botte of The New York Post relays. “He just makes the game easy,” Randle said of Brunson after Thursday’s practice. “I’ve said it all the time, he’s such a smart player. He understands the rhythm and flow of the game, how to look for guys in certain situations, how to go get his own, so he’s a really good player. He’s a basketball player. I think you can put him anywhere and he will play really well, just because he understands the game so well.”
- After re-signing with the Knicks on a four-year, $60MM deal, center Mitchell Robinson is poised for a big fifth season, Botte writes for The New York Post. “I think the athleticism is special, but I also think the strength component, when he added that piece to it, he can take a hit and get through that. He’s shown that,” Thibodeau said of Robinson. “But I think a lot of other areas of his game have improved also — the rim protection, that part is obvious. But I think he’s starting to grow now offensively.”
- Cam Reddish should receive minutes in the preseason as the Knicks evaluate the fourth-year wing, Begley notes in another article for SNY.tv. Quentin Grimes is dealing with foot soreness and the team is being cautious with Evan Fournier after a silver medal run with France at EuroBasket, creating an opening for Reddish. The 23-year-old suffered a sprained ankle in Tuesday’s preseason opener and didn’t return (Twitter link), but he’s starting on Friday night, Begley tweets.
Randle is still taking too many dumb shots. He should be behind Barrett and Brunson in terms of touches and shots. But he has looked more motivated in these couple games so far
Fournier had a silver medal run… as always Spain destroyed France, right?
Okay so Randle looks set to stay and the knicks current idea is a big 3 of Brunson Barrett and Randle.
Only suggestion I’d have is because of Brunson’s lack of size and below average defence I’d want to play RJ Barrett at the 2 spot to help cover for that. RJ is more than capable of playing there and would be a terrific fit next to Brunson.
That means trading Evan Fouriner and either packaging him with Cam Reddish or dealing him separately too.
One idea could be Fouriner and Reddish for Gary Harris, Terrance Ross and Caleb Houstan.
Gets Fouriners deal off the books, buy Harris out of his deal and you’ve got TRoss and Houstan in return. Magic get some experience and a SG Fouriner know the franchise he’d make a good fit and Reddish gives them depth and upside too.
Another idea is, Evan Fouriner and a second round pick or two for Doug McDermott. Clears Fouriners deal and Doug would add a great three point shooting and decent size.