By announcing that Evan Fournier’s situation was not going to change, therefore that the Frenchman would still remain on the bench, Tom Thibodeau confirmed Quentin Grimes in the Knicks’ major five, at fullback.
After a first season as a substitute, he became a starter in 2022/23, with an average of 11.3 points, and his third year should confirm his progression in the game, by being more versatile.
“I think everyone knows me as a shooter and a defender, and I continue to improve in those areas,” does he start for the New York Post. “But now it’s about being more comfortable with the ball, to create things for myself or my teammates. They and my coaches gave me the confidence to make the right choices. »
To become more efficient and better read situations, Quentin Grimes prepared this summer with Penny Hardaway. And with JJ Redick as well, to improve his outside shooting, he who has had a 38% 3-point success rate since the start of his career.
“Redick is one of the best shooters in the history of the league. Physically, he was remarkable. So I worked in the gym with him, to learn a few details, about getting off screens for example. I know there will be actions like that drawn for me this season. I hope I’ll be ready when the time comes. »
Encouraged to take initiatives, if he has any…
But ultimately, despite his desires, will he really have offensive opportunities outside of “catch-and-shoot” sequences? Last season, when he had the ball in his hands, his possession was limited to 1.89 seconds and 1.1 dribbles on average.
How can we imagine that the situation could evolve when Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, who mainly exist with the ball, will be on the floor at the same time as him…
“It’s a good thing and a bad thing,” analyzes Quentin Grimes, thinking of his greedy teammates. “It’s positive because I can spread the play, create penetration lanes for Barrett or someone else. Tom Thibodeau and I talked about it: if I have the ball and I can do something, I have to do it. If I have a shot to take, I have to take it. I have the freedom to do it. So the important thing is not to know who has the ball or not. »
| Quentin Grimes | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 46 | 17 | 40.4 | 38.1 | 68.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 6.0 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 71 | 30 | 46.8 | 38.6 | 79.6 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 11.3 |
| Total | 117 | 25 | 45.0 | 38.4 | 77.8 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 9.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
