Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, Josh Hart excited about what Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks can provide
The Knicks fielded a skeleton crew of a team Thursday night. Eight players were available, including a pair of two-way contract players and 38-year-old Taj Gibson on the last day of a 10-day contract. But help was on the way, and the Knicks were hopeful that the help will be ready to contribute.
Tom Thibodeau couldn’t say for sure that Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic would be able to get on the court Saturday against the Pacers, because all players involved in Thursday's Knicks-Pistons trade have to pass physicals. With Burks having been part of the Knicks before, however, he would know the way that the coach wants things done — and could prepare Bogdanovic for it, too.
“Yeah, he knows what to expect,” Josh Hart said of Burks, a Thibodeau favorite who played for the Knicks in 2020-21 and 2021-22. “Bojan — hoooo, that boy in for it. He knows what to expect, so hopefully on that [private jet] they’re on right now, he’s giving him a couple of tips and pointers. But I will say, Thibs got a little bad rap about this, kinda — you know, the practice and all that. He is way better than I thought in the rumors and all what you hear. It’s way better, way more in tune, so he’ll be all right.”
The practice time may be limited and the off-court workload eased, with injuries forcing longer minutes in games, but the expectations are high — maybe as high as they’ve been in decades — for the franchise.
Burks and Bogdanovic are moving from the worst team in the NBA to the heat of a playoff chase. While they may be new to this team, both have been through the wars, including the postseason.
“He has the winning pedigree,” Hart said of Burks. “He’s been in those situations. And obviously last year, first playoffs for a decent amount of us. And now, AB’s been in the playoffs. He’s been in the playoffs. He’s had success in the playoffs. You’re adding OG [Anunoby], who’s won a ring.
“So you added guys who are kinda battle-tested in the playoffs and [who] you can rely on, whether that’s because of injury or just guys aren’t playing well. You can rely on them to play big minutes. I’m not sure of their character or how they are, but if I’m not playing well and OG has to play 38 and Bojan gotta play 38, I play 15, well, cool. We have the luxury to do that. And that’s what you want, being able to get into adverse situations and have the luxury of guys being able to step up, play big minutes and have other guys, if it’s not their night, they're cool with sitting.”
While roles still have to be sorted out, there are obvious parts of this. Burks, 32, will provide a steady hand with the second unit to give stability when Jalen Brunson rests, and with a reliable three-point shot, he'll be able to play off the ball. Bogdanovic, 34, can fill in for Anunoby and Julius Randle while they rehabilitate from their injuries, and when the team is at full strength, he will be able to space the floor and open up opportunities for teammates.
“I think it’s really good,” Thibodeau said. “ . . . His ability to play the four, it gives us a stretch four who can really shoot. The thing you guys [know], I’m sure, with Alec, his ability to handle the ball, play the point, play off the ball, play with the starters, play with the bench, sort of a Swiss army knife. He does a little bit of everything. But the shooting piece was so important. I just think the more we can open up the floor, particularly as you go forward, that’s a key ingredient. Now teams have to make a decision how much you're going to load up.”
Notes & quotes: Isaiah Hartenstein, who had to leave Thursday night's game, is out with a sore left Achilles for Saturday's game. Brunson is questionable with a sprained right ankle . . . The Knicks signed Gibson to a second 10-day contract Friday.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
