Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo had a brief verbal altercation with Knicks assistant Rick Brunson in his return to New York on Sunday, as Chris Herring of ESPN and James L. Edwards III and Jon Krawczynski of the Athletic write. DiVincenzo and Brunson exchanged words after the game when players and coaches were shaking hands before exiting the court, but the former Knick downplayed the incident when speaking to reporters later.
“Just some words. I don’t fully know what was said. A lot of people there,” DiVincenzo said, per The Athletic. “But I really have no comment on the situation. We’re both grown men and can talk about it privately.”
“Two people talking,” Rick’s son Jalen Brunson said. “Words of affirmation.”
DiVincenzo was caught on camera in the first quarter talking to the Knicks’ bench before he attempted a free throw (Twitter video link). He explained to reporters after the game that he was sharing an inside joke with Thibodeau, though league sources tell The Athletic that some of his comments were directed to the elder Brunson. At one point, DiVincenzo appeared to say, “That’s what happens when they let you run the show.”
Here’s more on the Wolves:
- DiVincenzo has “quickly become a favorite within the Timberwolves organization,” tweets Krawczynski, adding that the team loves both his skill set and mentality. Anthony Edwards expressed that sentiment during his post-game media session on Sunday, per Herring. “He makes all the right plays and shoots the cover off the ball,” Edwards said of his new teammate. “New York is definitely going to miss him.”
- In a feature story for The Athletic, James L. Edwards III takes a look at DiVincenzo’s journey from a scout team decoy at Villanova to a Final Four star to one of the NBA’s most coveted role players.
- Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said there were “a lot of emotions” on Sunday reuniting with former Timberwolves teammates who were like “brothers” during his tenure in Minnesota, writes Chris Hine of The Star Tribune (subscription required). Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch had nothing but praise for his former star big man, acknowledging that it would take a while to get used to seeing Towns in a different uniform. “It’s like a death in the family in some ways,” Finch said. “You got to make it through that first year, and everything is going to be a little odd.”
- In his Sunday return to New York, new Timberwolves forward Julius Randle wasn’t looking to dwell on or reminisce about his Knicks tenure, telling reporters that he has “unfinished business” to focus on in Minnesota, as Stefan Bondy of The New York Post relays. Randle also expressed enthusiasm about Finch giving him more play-making responsibilities this season. “I’m excited to be able to show that,” the veteran forward said. “Not just from the post, getting double-teamed. Finch is moving me all over the floor, allowing me to be able show that stuff. I’m excited about that.”
Wolves fans, do not rejoice at Randle’s comments. He finally found his groove with us last season – drawing double-teams in the post and spraying to shooters. Sounds like he’s had enough of that. Sorry guys.
Donte should be blame IHART for the trade. If he wasn’t so greedy the Knicks would not have traded him. IHART didn’t like the bright lights. I guess he prefers small market OKC. Hart said it best IHART is dead to be now.
Sounds like there was some tension between the elder Brunson and Donte, would be reason enough to trade him. It’s Jalen’s team.
Donte might be angry because he choose the knicks because they claimed they wanted him and gave him the song and dance how valuable he was to the team. Now he found out its a business and you are just a number.
@mlbnyyfan “afraid of the bright lights”?? i know no media market is comparable to NYC , but i predict that OKC will be getting a lot of national attention this year .. it’s not like he signed with the nets .
Yeah because 97% of free agents don’t sign with the highest bidder. Give me a break. More money and cheaper real estate in OKC. Assuming taxes are lower, too, but I haven’t actually checked.
DiV is Brunson’s best friend (other than his Dad) and has been since college. That makes what happened too close to a family matter for anyone on the outside to really understand.
Still, it’s been clear from the start that DiV was upset about the trade. He found the perfect spot for himself, in part because of the relationship he had up and down the organization. He understands the business, but that doesn’t mean he has to like this aspect of it. Particularly, when you add in the timing of the deal (as the preseason is getting underway) and the idiot narratives out there suggesting he may have initiated his inclusion in the deal by his statements (it had to come from someone on the inside). So, its not surprising he’d have a few things to say to the “team” (FO, mostly, but since they’re not available, the HC and the assistants he was closest with). In his position, I certainly would.
The Towns trade better work out for the Knicks. Team chemistry is very important. Donte deserved better.
If Donte could play center they may not have.
The Knicks got worse from the Towns trade and the Wolves got better. Donte should be happy to go to a better team. The Knicks aren’t the Yankees or even Giants, they only have 2 titles, won in the early 1970s, and have been the joke of the NBA for 40+ years at this point.
LOL. Wrong thread. The opinions of a GSW fanboy on the basketball merits of an NBA trade have no value. You should limit your opinions to issues like identifying Steph Curry’s favorite color, where you might be up to contributing something.
Crap…
I feel dirty…
I agree with Davey J on a basketball matter…
Donte makes me so mad at Steve Kerr because Kerr being unable to unlock him has directly caused him to play Podz more than he deserves, as Kerr, as an undersized redhead himself, could not unlock one undersized redhead in Donte so he sees Podz and goes “never again, he’s getting all the playing time!!!”.
Rick Brunson seems to be a not very nice person!
Donte clearly didn’t want to be traded. He loved it here. Just talking smack. His feelings are hurt. Is the way I see it. He knows it’s a business. He’ll get over it.
Divincenzo got completed blindsided. The entire summer theme after Knicks acquired Bridges was the Nova Knicks. He’s one of the best role players in the league(I’d put him first team all role player) if it was a thing. I suspect OKC would be cheaper in terms of taxes when compared to OKC when relating to IH.