Evan Fournier struggled in a starting role and has been even worse coming off the bench, Peter Botte of the New York Post notes. The Knicks shooting guard has missed all 10 of his shot attempts in the last two games and he has scored just 16 points in six games as a reserve.
“The thing is when you only shoot three times a game … it adds up. It adds up. And at the end of the season, you look at your [shooting] percentage and it’s not good,” Fournier said. “But it’s just hard to find a rhythm right now. I think not knowing the rotation, what’s coming your way, et cetera, et cetera. I have to do a better job of all that and just being in the moment, being ready for whatever.”
Fournier’s four-year, $73MM contract has turned into an albatross. He’s in the second year of the deal, though the club holds an option on the final year.
We have more on the New York teams:
- The defensive breakdowns the Knicks displayed while giving up 145 points to Oklahoma City on Sunday could be due to a number of factors, writes Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post (subscription required). A potential solution could be a coaching change and Tom Thibodeau is rumored to be on the hot seat. Rotation changes, or perhaps a blockbuster trade, could alternatively turn the team’s fortunes, Sanchez adds.
- Could the Knicks have solved their problems over dinner? Julius Randle organized a players-only dinner in Utah on Monday as the team began a road trip, Zach Brazilier of the New York Post reports. “It was good, good to have a team dinner like that,” RJ Barrett said. “Try to figure this out the best that we can. We all care, trying to get this going on the right track.”
- Injuries to Seth Curry, T.J. Warren and Ben Simmons, plus the ongoing suspension of Kyrie Irving, have forced the Nets to go deeper into their bench and alter their rotations, according to Ethan Sears of the New York Post. “It just puts us straight on everyone else,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said. “We put David Duke in, Patty [Mills] earlier, Markieff [Morris] earlier in our normal rotation. … It puts a strain on us when we are not completely whole, for sure.”
Lol @ Nets not completely whole…
It’s going to be a long time before that organisation is back on the same page as each other…
Who hands out worse contracts… Knicks or Magic? Seems like 80% of their signings you go… ‘what the.. how much? for that dude?’ it’s always like they bet on someone that’s 90% of the way to being washed.
It’s a shame, such a big market, so bad at roster management.
And you have so many draft pick regrets.
The Philadelphia 76ers have a 242-230 record in the playoffs all-time.
The New York Knicks have an 187-193 record in the playoffs all-time.
In its 76 seasons, the NY franchise has reached the NBA Finals eight times and won two championships. Last time in Finals 1999.
In seventy complete NBA seasons, the Philadelphia franchise has played in the Finals nine times and won three championships. Last time was 2001 in Finals.
So Sixers do have a better playoff record. Thats thanks to the Wilt era. Yet have only been to 1 more Finals. And have won 1 more ring. And you got smack ……..
Fultz over Tatum and you talking …..we’ve never Blown a #1 pick in the draft.
Is this comment in the right place? Lots of good facts, just not seeing the relation.
I wasn’t talking about the Sixers… but did you know the Knicks have 3 all star appearances from drafted players after they took Patrick Ewing in 1985? Zero All NBA honors.
Talk about not drafting talent.
Don’t forget they traded up to get Fultz over Tatum.
I wanted Fournier on the team. But by now it seems he’s playing his way out. Thibs never wanted him. He wanted to keep Bullock. Imo Knicks haven’t used Fournier right. And this yr. He just seems lost. D is worse than usual. And there is no flow on offense. At times it looks like he’s not even trying. Plus fact he speaks out about team play. Just tells me he’s not confortable here.
In Orlando he was allowed to shoot or iso. Here he’s doing it off the system or waiting in a spot to shoot. He’s not really engaged. Evan is a scorer. It’s who he is. So here when his shot is not falling. He gets lost. Right now Cam and Grimes are pushing him out. And instead of fighting for his mins. He is crying. Problem for us is his value is low. So even in a trade. We won’t get value back.
Hartenstein and Sims can hold down the C. Sims is being groomed imo. Mitch, Fournier, Randle, Rose, even Quickley can all be moved. So far this yrs bright spots have been Cam and Jalen ……..Jan 15 I expect a major trade.
Fournier had negative value the second he signed that deal and his value has only decreased since.
The Knicks would be better served buying Evan out. This will free him up to go play for the Warriors.
Al nailed the problem clean. Evan is giving back what he is getting is the bottom line.
He is dreading coming to work.
LOL – “Tom Thibodeau is rumored to be on the hot seat” – Really? If there is such a rumor, then provide the source. FYI, a reporter saying he’d like him to be isn’t a rumor that he is. Only Rose can put him on the hot seat.
FWIW, I like Thibs and the job he’s done here, but if Rose has actually put him on the hot seat based on results to date, then he should do everyone a favor (including Thibs) and fire him now. Basically, this team, playing its best, isn’t going to be much better than a .500 team.
Predictably, and thankfully, Fournier has been removed from the rotation. His apparent attitude (based on his play) made it easy. I get that he’s always been a starter who finished games, but you can’t just sulk when your role is reduced. His contract can’t be a concern. As an expiring deal in the offseason, he can be used in a trade or dumped (for a smaller price) if there’s resulting cap space we can use. IMO, nothing we would likely get in a trade this season (e.g., another bad contract) is going to be worth the effort.
Thibs , Founier and Julius Randle need to go. If possible Julius is very inconsistent he’s scoring but his defense is listless, he leads the team in turnovers and he’s very offbeat. Last night he scored well but not only was his defense inconsistent his advanced stats were terrible a plus-minus team worse negative, while Obi Toppin in 18 minutes had a great led the team with a plus minus of 23 plus and is the best 3-point shooter on the team. Thibs has made numerous bad decisions and was congratulated for removing DF,and his criticized for not playing Obi Toppin more. He’s responsible for at least two losses this season and it’s defense is been suspect. That’s why a large part of the fan base want him fired.
Who would want to really coach the Knicks is the question.
Fournier was a disaster the day they signed him. Guess they needed another bad contract on the books after moving THJ.
Thibs needs to go. Didn’t think he was the right coach from the get go, but if there’s any chance they can get Snyder to sign on, that would be a great start.