Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau makes change to starting lineup: Quentin Grimes in, Evan Fournier out
Knicks guard Quentin Grimes (6) is defended by Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford (21) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, in New York. Credit: AP/Julia Nikhinson
PHILADELPHIA — Tom Thibodeau’s stubbornness is almost legendary. He stands by his players and his decisions in the face of any criticism, and is content to rest on his arduous study and work to believe in his decisions.
Knicks fans will remember with pained expressions the decision to stand by Elfrid Payton two seasons ago and to start Alec Burks at point guard last season. But as the Knicks were preparing for just their eighth game of the season on Friday, Thibodeau pulled the trigger on a lineup change — inserting second-year wing Quentin Grimes into the starting lineup in place of Evan Fournier as the Knicks faced the 76ers, who were without James Harden (foot) and Joel Embiid (illness).
Thibodeau has praised Grimes effusively since his arrival, a draft pick that he pushed hard for, bringing in the versatile defender with a three-point shot that fits well with the ball-dominant starters around him. But after excelling in the Las Vegas Summer League, Grimes arrived at the start of training camp sidelined by a sore left foot — believed to be a product of overworking in the month heading into camp.
Grimes sat out three of the four preseason games and then the first six games of the season before finally being cleared to play Wednesday against Atlanta — appearing in the final 4:38 of the game after sitting out until it was a blowout.
In camp he expressed his disappointment with not having a chance to compete for the starting job, unable to play and practice to prove himself.
“It’s something you can’t control,” Grimes said before the game of the possibility of starting. You’ve got to go out there and be focused on the game plan. I know what I can do. From myself standpoint I I know what the team needs from whatever role I have — if they need me to come off the bench that’s what I do. Right now I’m just trying to stay focused on what the team needs and get the job done.”
While the team has tried to hide Fournier and Jalen Brunson defensively, leaving RJ Barrett to handle the most dangerous perimeter threat to this point, Grimes started this game on explosive 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. The decision was not just based on Thibodeau’s belief in Grimes, but also with the starting unit struggling in the early part of the season. While the Knicks won the games they were expected to — home games against Detroit, Charlotte and Orlando — they have struggled against the better teams, including a dismal performance Wednesday against Atlanta.
“Each season's different,” Thibodeau said in his pregame media session — answering questions without trying to reveal his lineup but hinting at the choice that was revealed shortly afterward. "Each situation's different. So you just take it by, you're looking at everything. You're studying your team. You want to take a look at something. We didn't have an opportunity to get a look at Quentin in the preseason. We were going to evaluate it then. So this gives us an opportunity to do it now.”
The net rating for Fournier has been particularly bad, but his lack of athleticism has been countered at times by savvy play — not enough to try to contain the likes of Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, who he wound up defending at times last week.
“I think in this league it’s how you function together,” Thibodeau said. “So when you look at defensive ratings you have to also look at the context of it. Who’s on the floor? Who’s doing what? Sometimes it may appear to be somebody getting beat on something. If there’s two players involved in it, it’s body position on the ball, body position on the screen and your show behind the ball. It’s not like in baseball where there’s a hitter and a pitcher and it’s easy to see. There’s a variance to it. You have to evaluate how it’s done in its entirety.”
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.
