New York Knicks Blog – Page 2 – NBA Blog

Taj Gibson is back on the Knicks

Per the NY Post:

Their latest reunion skipped the emotions and went right into the brass tacks, in the Tom Thibodeau way.

“Thibs just gave me that look like, ‘Yo, you in shape?’ ” said Taj Gibson, officially signed by the Knicks on Friday to a one-year, nonguaranteed deal. “‘You know I can’t rock with you if you’re not in shape.’”

Gibson affirmed to his coach Friday that he’s well conditioned — a product of training by himself at the NBPA gym in Manhattan — but Thibodeau couldn’t resist busting chops, telling his 38-year-old center to run sprints with the guards.

“Then he says, ‘I’m joking with you,’” Gibson said. “He knows how to ruffle feathers.”

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Devin Booker hits clutch shot in Suns win over Knicks

Per the Arizona Republic:

Devin Booker loves playing at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knicks should be thankful the Phoenix Suns only visit once a regular season.

Booker iced a cooler-than-be-cool fadeaway 3 with 1.7 seconds left to stun the Knicks, 116-113, Sunday evening before a sellout crowd of 19,812 that watched in disbelief.

Jalen Brunson missed a 3 at the buzzer that rimmed in and out on his game-high 35-point night.

Booker added 11 assists and committed just two turnovers.

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Knicks center Mitchell Robinson hitting the offensive glass hard this season

Per the NY Post:

Mitchell Robinson is the best offensive rebounder right now in the NBA.

It became his undisputed title after grabbing 11 offensive rebounds in Saturday night’s victory over the Hornets, giving Robinson 50 percent more than anybody else in the league this season.

But Robinson doesn’t think his greatest skill is a skill at all.

“It’s just effort,” he said. “It’s really just effort.” …

Still just 25 and in his sixth season, Robinson surpassed Bill Cartwright on Saturday for third on the Knicks’ all-time list with 1,116 for career offensive boards. He’s still less than halfway to catching No. 2 (Charles Oakley) and No. 1 (Patrick Ewing), but the outrageous pace makes it seem possible Robinson will get to the top.

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The latest on Knicks forward Julius Randle

Per the NY Post:

As he struggled through the opening week-plus of the season, Julius Randle had been battling through ankle pain and, as a player committed to availability, resisted attempts from the Knicks to get him to rest, multiple sources told The Post.

Randle, who underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery in the offseason, was operating at about “70 percent,” a source said.

And through the opening six games — while limited by that pain — Randle was among the league’s least efficient players with a notable drop-off in his explosiveness.

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Knicks sign Ryan Arcidiacono

The New York Knicks have signed guard Ryan Arcidiacono.

Arcidiacono, 29-years-old (6-3, 195-pounds), averaged 1.3 points and 1.2 assists in 8.6 minutes over 20 games (four starts) with the Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks last season. He spent the 2021-22 season with the Knicks recording 1.6 points over 10 games. Prior to New York, he spent four seasons with the Chicago Bulls (2017-21) averaging 4.8 points, 2.2 assists and 2.0 rebounds over 17.6 minutes in 207 games (36 starts). He holds career averages of 4.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.9 rebounds over 16.4 minutes in 237 games (40 starts) over six seasons with the Bulls, Knicks and Blazers.

The Langhorne, PA-native played four seasons at Villanova University and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in the Wildcats’ championship run in 2016. He was named First-Team All-Big East and Big East Co-Player of the Year as a junior in 2015. He averaged 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.17 steals for his collegiate career.

Knicks sign guard Duane Washington Jr.

The New York Knicks have signed guard Duane Washington Jr. to a contract.

Washington Jr., 23-years-old (6-3, 197-pounds), averaged 7.9 points, 2.0 assists and 1.2 rebounds over 12.7 minutes in 31 games (three starts) last season with the Phoenix Suns. He recorded four 20-point performances during the 2022-23 season, including career highs of 26 points and seven assists in a win at Memphis on Dec. 27.

The Frankfurt, Germany-native began his career in Indiana, averaging 9.9 points on 37.7% shooting from downtown with 1.8 assists over 20.2 minutes in 48 games (seven starts) during the 2021-22 season. Among qualified NBA rookies, he ranked 12th in points per game, third in three-point percentage and ninth with 81 made three-pointers. Washington Jr. set a Pacers rookie record by making seven three-pointers at New Orleans on Jan. 24. He also appeared in 11 games (all starts) with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League, averaging 19.5 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds over 32.5 minutes.

He spent a three-year career at Ohio State University where he earned All-Big Ten honors in his final season after averaging a team-high 16.4 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists over 32.2 minutes in 31 games (all starts).

Should the Knicks pursue Paul George?

Via the NY Post:

In the Knicks’ quest to build upon last year’s strong season, they are targeting stars to complement Jalen Brunson, and one such player they are interested in is Paul George.

The Knicks have had contact with the Clippers about the 33-year-old wing, according to multiple reports, although it is uncertain if Los Angeles is willing to move George.

The Clippers nearly acquired Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon in a three-way deal with the Celtics and Wizards before the talks fell apart on Wednesday, so they may be interested in adding and not subtracting from their roster.

Scott Perry will not return as Knicks GM

Per NY Newsday:

In 2017, Scott Perry was appointed general manager of the Knicks with the responsibility of providing stability to a team that was in disarray. He succeeded in doing that, clearing the air and closing the gap as a new front office grew around him. But Newsday has discovered that Perry is not coming back because his contract is about to expire.

When Perry’s contract expires this summer, it has been confirmed by a source that he will leave. The legacy will be one of stability and success at a company that has not experienced either for 20 years.

In the wake of the Phil Jackson era, Perry teamed up with Steve Mills to provide a seasoned basketball personnel manager. Perry first helped to facilitate Carmelo Anthony’s departure, which put the franchise on a new course. As general manager, he drafted RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson and signed Julius Randle.

FULL ARTICLE

Evan Fournier predicts a future beyond Knicks

Via the NY Post:

After the Knicks’ second-round exit from the playoffs, Evan Fournier is convinced of two things:

He could’ve helped them in their series loss to Miami.

And they’re not going to bring him back.

“There’s no way they’re going to keep me. I would be very surprised if they did,” Fournier said after Friday night’s season-ending, Game 6 loss in South Florida. “So we’ll see. It’s obviously not in my hands.” …

He inked a hefty four-year, $73 million contract before last season that has now made him a salary-cap albatross.

He has two years left on the deal, but 2024-25 is a club option, essentially making him a one-year expiring contract.

Heat center Bam Adebayo says he must step up vs. Knicks

Via the NY Post:

Bam Adebayo didn’t mince words about his performance against the Knicks Tuesday night, shouldering the blame for Miami’s Game 2 loss at the Garden.

Game 3 will be Saturday in South Florida, with a salty Miami team and a highly motivated Adebayo looking for payback.

And redemption.

“I just got to play better,” Adebayo said. “I feel like this game was on me, and I lost it for us. I’ve got to be better. I played terrible. I put this one on me.”

None of the Heat did, but Adebayo fell on the proverbial sword nonetheless.