Nothing but hoops on Knicks' minds before taking on Nets
The Knicks' Julius Randle shoots over the Nets' Nic Claxton during the first half of an NBA game Wednesday at Barclays Center. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
As the Knicks players were going through the motions of pregame warmups at Barclays Center, Nets general manager Sean Marks was explaining the decision to name Jacque Vaughn as the head coach for the Nets, then veering into the uncomfortable subject of Kyrie Irving. And all the while outside Barclays Center a group was staging a pro-Kyrie demonstration.
In the Knicks locker room, players sat quietly with headphones watching video of the Nets most recent scouting tape, not a hint of drama as they prepared for the night. And that was just weird, for the Knicks to come into this latest edition of the crosstown rivalry as the team with no drama.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau grew up on the constant chaos around Madison Square Garden, first as a Knicks fan growing up — 23 years old when Micheal Ray Richardson proclaimed, “The ship be sinking, but the sky’s the limit.” And he was a young assistant coach when things began to dysfunctional little more than 20 years ago. But for Thibodeau right now — and things change quickly with the Knicks — it’s all about basketball.
“Obviously, the city itself, New York is such a great place for basketball,” Thibodeau said. “It’s so important to all the people in the city. So it’s a lot of fun. Brooklyn’s done a great job. I’m excited about who the Knicks are and what the Knicks mean to the city.
“We all know. Growing up in Connecticut, being a Knick fan as a young kid, people, they grow up with the Knicks and it’s generation to generation. Everyone has a story about when somebody took them to their first game. It’s a big part of the fabric of this city. We think we have the best fans in the world.”
They travel across the river, too — Kevin Durant jokingly was booing at Knicks fans during warmups who were booing him. But more than the fans seeking bragging rights, the Knicks were content just to be focusing on basketball.
Asked about the Nets troubles on and off the court Monday, Julius Randle said, “That’s their problem. All good over here in Knick-land, baby.”
It’s been a long time since the Knicks could lay claim to that functional title. If the Nets had won the last seven meetings between the two teams, at least the Knicks had that now.
“We have our challenges,” Thibodeau said. “We know how hard this league is. Got to work every day. You focus on your own team, and that's what we've tried to do. Each day is a challenge. Concentrate on the improvement, put the work in that's necessary to prepare for each opponent, go out and play your best.”
The Knicks could have some drama if the players expressed any dissatisfaction with shifting roles, but so far there has been no fallout from the lineup changes. When Quentin Grimes was ready physically to play he was inserted in the starting lineup — after missing the first six games of the season and then playing just late minutes when he finally made his season debut. That meant veteran Evan Fournier went to the bench. With Mitchell Robinson injured Isaiah Hartenstein got one start and then was replaced in the starting lineup Monday and again Wednesday by Jericho Sims.
“Those things are never easy,” Thibodeau said. “You always have to ask your team and we talk about it at the beginning of the year — everyone has to sacrifice something for the team to bring the best out of the team. For some guys it’s not starting and coming off the bench. Other guys it’s not getting as many shots or as many minutes. Some guys are on the outside of the rotation, but those things change really quickly. The challenge is to make sure you stay ready whenever you’re called upon. Whatever role you’re asked to play, star in that role. Embrace the role. Put the team first. I think we have a number of guys that have done that.”
Notes & quotes: Grimes was available after being scratched from the last two games with the sore left foot that has bothered him since training camp began. “Just normal protocol,” Thibodeau said. “Follow the trainers' plans. If he doesn't have soreness, he goes . . . You trust the doctors, you trust your trainers, you trust Quentin. Just let him work his way through it. Obviously, he's been out for a while now, so the conditioning piece of it is important also.”
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.
