With Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson sidelined by injuries, Knicks big man Jericho Sims is getting steady time. However, he’s been reluctant to make impact offensively, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post notes.
In 94 minutes this season, he’s taken six total shots. In the Knicks’ three November games, he has one field goal attempt in 42 minutes. This is a pivotal season for Sims, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
We have more on the New York teams:
- The Knicks are off to a 3-4 start and The Athletic’s James Edwards has noted some troubling trends. They rank last in the league in pace offensively, they’re 30th in free throw attempts per game and they’ve struggled against opponents that do a lot of switching defensively.
- Recently-signed Knicks forward Matt Ryan played high school ball approximately 20 minutes in drive time from the Knicks current practice facility. “It’s extremely special,” Ryan said of joining the Knicks, per Bondy. “But at the end of the day I know playing for [Tom Thibodeau], it’s going to require a tremendous amount of focus every day, blocking out everything else that’s going on. It’s very lucky, a unique circumstance to come home, play for the Knicks as a Westchester kid. But I’m locked in. Probably never been more focused than I am right now.”
- Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith had his best outing of the season with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a win over Memphis on Monday. Brooklyn is hoping the veteran will continue to produce, since he’s a prime trade candidate. He holds a $15.4MM option on his contract for next season. “He’s been guarding centers, he’s been guarding point guards. … I’m doing all this to him and he’s fighting. The fact that I can see him fight defensively, but also see the shot go in, nobody deserves it more than him,” coach Jordi Fernandez told Bridget Reilly of the New York Post.
Fact is they don’t look for Sims. Or have plays for him. He needs to be more aggressive. At least put up a few shots. This is Sims shot at being the backup. It’s up to him to take advantage. Make an impact on winning.
Both Rockets and Hawks played well against Knicks. Out rebounded Knicks. To me that was biggest issue. This is why I start Precious instead of Hart. This also gives Bridges more possessions on offense. For Knicks to have big success. Towns, Brunson, Bridges have to lead the offense.
NYK offense is ahead of where I thought it would be. Brunson hasn’t hit shots down the stretch, and probably should be looking more for others, but I think all that will resolve itself by mid-year. There is great potential here, even if its painful watching the process unfold.
Defense and rebounding has been up and down, but never great like it was down the stretch of last season. That has made us an average team at best. KAT has been fine, but he isn’t a defensive anchor, and its turned guys like OG and Bridges into tentative defenders. In each of the past two seasons, Thibs has fixed bad situations on the defensive end early on, but, in each case, he had a rim protector to bank on, and had the personnel to modify the rotation. Not so much right now. The rebounding issues are also personnel related. We’re small. Mitch can be a big part of solving both problems if he can return healthy. But that appears to be a ways off. Just have to stop the bleeding here with scheme and (more so) effort.
Sims is only playing as KAT’s backup, and is not an offensive option. I’d like to see more impact on the boards, but I’m not sure he can do alot more as the only big on the floor when he’s out there. Happy for Ryan, but I wonder if a big might have been a better add.