Divencenzo has earned to start sg

[HarthorneWingo]

People here dumping on Donte's defense? Really? He made so many key plays the last two games. Did you see the steal he had on LeMelo's behind the back pass? That was amazing. Also, you have to compare Donte in the starting lineup vs. Grimes in the starting lineup. Donte off the bench isn't that good. It's about maximizing our talent.

Grimes has always been my guy but the starting unit looks much more capable out there with Donte. Also, I really don't mind seeing an iHart, IQ, Grimes, RJ, and Hart second unit. Grimes would get more touches this way.

I think moving Donte into the starting lineup could take us to the next level.

I like the way you think!

Donte is not a bad defender, he plays big for his size and is crafty/energetic. I believe starting allows him to get in rhythm offensively which unlocks a whole new level for the Knicks offense. Throw in the connection he has with Brunson going back to their NOVA days, which you could easily pick up on tonight.. and well these Knicks are bonafide contenders!!!

Thank you! And then we have Hart subbing in early for RJ in the 1st quarter. I kinda like super sub backcourt of IQ and Grimes. They could cause a lot of havoc on the court together. Also, Donte didn't look comfortable with the second unit.

[HopelessKnick]

Grimes has averaged 8 points on 43% and 40% from 3. Yeah, he has been less aggressive on offense than we hoped but he has played pretty solid overall. I don't get all that talk about removing him from the starting unit etc.

[gavran]

[robillionaire]

I was looking at the stats and noticed that bizarrely grimes hasn’t made a single free throw this entire season despite starting in 11 games. I think that really speaks to the lack of aggressiveness that you don’t really want from the starting SG position

There are only 7 other minutes qualified players in the nba who have played in a game without making a free throw all season (grimes has played significantly more minutes than all 7) and only two of those 7 have started in a game and they are Jacob gilyard who started 3 games for the grizzlies and JT Thor who started 1 game for the hornets. And then grimes who has started in 11 games here and plays 25 mpg of timid basketball

Grimes is asked to be Ray Allen just like Obi... he camps behind the 3 point line and barely even gets shots some games

And then gets pulled or iced even if he starts shooting better

That’s been the narrative but it’s interesting Donte comes in 1 game and shoots 12 times which is more shots than grimes has attempted all season and Grimes averages 6.8 attempts a game

So to me this implies Donte was more aggressive in looking for his shot or maybe also just doing a better job running off screens and getting in the right spots and getting himself open looks and there actually may be more opportunity for scoring available at the position than we thought

[Iron Mantis]

Yes, start Donte.

He has some uncanny synergy with the starters.

In 20 mins he's somehow putting up more attempts per game than Grimes. His shots will fall as he gets comfortable with his role.

If your starting SG is efficient but scared to shoot, he may need to work on his confidence.

Thibs knows this..that's one of the reasons Two bench guards: Quickley and J.Hart, are averaging more minutes per game than Grimes this season. They don't lack confidence. Donte, Quick, Hart, all put up more shots per game than Grimes.. and they all drive.

Grimes can build his confidence and aggressiveness with the 2nd unit. He can start again when he's ready.

[thebuzzardman]

Time to put Grimes into that trade for OG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GET IT DONE LEON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m not for trading him, but if we do it, it’s got to be Mikal. That’s the guy I’d let him go for amongst non all star talent on the wings

That would be really cool.

On the other hand, how much do either OG or even Bridges really improve the team?

Incrementally, but worth it.

[blueNorange]

Grimes has averaged 8 points on 43% and 40% from 3. Yeah, he has been less aggressive on offense than we hoped but he has played pretty solid overall. I don't get all that talk about removing him from the starting unit etc.

ny fans stupidly live game by game in an 82 game season

[thebuzzardman]

People here dumping on Donte's defense? Really? He made so many key plays the last two games. Did you see the steal he had on LeMelo's behind the back pass? That was amazing. Also, you have to compare Donte in the starting lineup vs. Grimes in the starting lineup. Donte off the bench isn't that good. It's about maximizing our talent.

Grimes has always been my guy but the starting unit looks much more capable out there with Donte. Also, I really don't mind seeing an iHart, IQ, Grimes, RJ, and Hart second unit. Grimes would get more touches this way.

I think moving Donte into the starting lineup could take us to the next level.

We have played the Wiz and Hornets, he had the worst DRTG among starters tonight at 127.6, he had the worst DRTG against the Wiz with a 128.6 DRTG, the second worst that game was 116.7. By comparison Grimes on the season only has 1 game over 125 DRTG, on the other end he has 4 of them under 100 and 8 under 110.

One of the best POA defenders in the NBA shouldn't lose his starting job because you beat two g-league teams. You keep Grimes starting because if he can get over this reluctance to shoot you have a much better defender. Once we get into the meat of the schedule you're not going to want Donte guarding Mitchell, Maxey, Dame, Luka/Kyrie, Fox etc because Brunson won't be on them and RJ can't defend small guards.

Without giving too much credit to this FO for doing stuff that any FO might do, it feels like that while the Knicks are developing a young player, they bring in a vet that plays about the way they'd like the young player to, for that player to learn from and also to cover some current holes in the young player's game.

So, Burks for IQ to learn the combo guard role, but also to provide dribble drive and passing IQ didn't have yet.
Donte is more aggressive and cuts well, things the FO wants from Grimes now, but hope he'll learn from.
Even Fournier had that all around SG/SF game, good passer, that I think the Knicks felt RJ would benefit from seeing.

Just a thought. And within that, the team can regulate how many minutes the young player gets. The vet gets it going more, they get more minutes.

So, yes, continue to start Grimes, and the team has options in Donte and IQ depending on matchups, how Grimes is doing etc.

[Chanel Bomber]

The one-game sample size mafia strikes again.

Seriously, it's one game, and Donte had a borderline career-night shooting the ball.

His performance did highlight the consistency with which he moves without the ball, which is something Grimes can work on. Unlike Donte and RJ, Grimes is pretty stationary without the ball. It helps space the floor with his 40% 3-point shooting (space that the other starters need), but it's not conducive to him getting more FGAs.

Grimes should regain the starting spot when he comes back. The Knicks can always make a decision based on his play later in the season. But it's not like Grimes has had a negative impact - he spaces the floor, hits shots efficiently, and plays good point of attack defense. He just hasn't shown the sort of individual progress you'd be hoping for.

[Polk377]

I just want Grimes to have enough confidence to catch the ball and get to the basket on close outs to collapse the defense. He can get to the basket at will with a quick first step and is a good finisher at the basket. He shouldn't have to feel like if the first shot isn't there, he has to pass the ball out immediately.

[G_K_F]

If Grimes was more aggressive he could basically be doing that Donte is doing. But he just doesn’t have the aggressiveness and confidence Donte does. Quentin almost has Frank syndrome where he’s afraid to shoot. But he can actually shoot so it doesn’t make sense.

[JXL]

I like to be fair. Dd is more well rounded than grimes. We’re better w him starting

And you say that after 2 games vs. awful teams?

[F N 11]

I want to see him unleashed I mean he’s here for a long time.

[F N 11]

This is not a hit piece on grimes either. I just feel as the starter DD can bring more all around game. I think Mike breen also had a great point. DD is out there when Randle and Brunson are catching doubles. I think some of the starting pressure comes off Grimes and he can exel in unit 2. This is a nothing personal just whats best for the team deal

All about balance. Donte don’t mind getting the spot up 3s up, getting deflections, cutting, and playing defense. Grimes can come off bench and showcase more of his game and run more.

I already told y’all Thibs is going to keep this going and bring Grimes slow off the bench if anything. Thibs is going to go with the hot hand. Even Josh Hart showing a pulse.

[Knick4Real]

If Grimes was more aggressive he could basically be doing that Donte is doing. But he just doesn’t have the aggressiveness and confidence Donte does. Quentin almost has Frank syndrome where he’s afraid to shoot. But he can actually shoot so it doesn’t make sense.

Let's also not forget that Donte is bringing more experience and a championship mentality with him from Golden State to the KNICKS. He was on the 2021 championship team. Grimes is still figuring some things out. We can't ignore that.

Grimes is a really good dude, hard worker, all of it. However, Donte has some "seasoning" that Quentin just doesn't have yet. And again, if starting DDV fails, Thibs can always reverse course. I think it's worth the switch.

[RHODEY]

Yes, start Donte.

He has some uncanny synergy with the starters.

In 20 mins he's somehow putting up more attempts per game than Grimes. His shots will fall as he gets comfortable with his role.

If your starting SG is efficient but scared to shoot, he may need to work on his confidence.

Thibs knows this..that's one of the reasons Two bench guards: Quickley and J.Hart, are averaging more minutes per game than Grimes this season. They don't lack confidence. Donte, Quick, Hart, all put up more shots per game than Grimes.. and they all drive.

Grimes can build his confidence and aggressiveness with the 2nd unit. He can start again when he's ready.

Agreed except for the part on Josh Hart not lacking confidence in his shot.I think Josh does at times lose confidence to shoot.... while Grimes lacks aggression to give himself more opportunities to shoot.

[Clyde_Style]

Grimes may work out his mental kinks coming off the bench

If Donte keeps playing like this, I expect Thibs to keep starting him when Grimes comes back

I like Donte and Grimes both. It's all good.

Some guys have to find that inner savage before their game takes off. Grimes needs to dig down and unlock that part of himself. I know he can. He has all the tools to be elite, but Donte's mindset on offense is clearly better at this time.

[2020]

People here dumping on Donte's defense? Really? He made so many key plays the last two games. Did you see the steal he had on LeMelo's behind the back pass? That was amazing. Also, you have to compare Donte in the starting lineup vs. Grimes in the starting lineup. Donte off the bench isn't that good. It's about maximizing our talent.

Grimes has always been my guy but the starting unit looks much more capable out there with Donte. Also, I really don't mind seeing an iHart, IQ, Grimes, RJ, and Hart second unit. Grimes would get more touches this way.

I think moving Donte into the starting lineup could take us to the next level.

I agree. DD just provides more and is more active (cutting, offensive and defensive aggression, rebounding, passing lanes, layups, etc...)

I was also one of the few here advocating for DD to start over Grimes early on in the season ( I would say about 5 games into the season). I would have to go back and check.

[TrueWarrior]

Donte has looked great these last 2 games, and a few others, but gotta see how he does against the more elite guards before I say he should supplant Grimes as a starter.

I floated the idea of Donte starting over Grimes in one of my poll threads after we signed him though: https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2305767. The pedigree, fit, and talent are there. Most posters didnt even consider the idea, but we’re seeing now they arent very far apart. Similar strengths and weaknesses.

While Donte’s defense is good, I would say that Grimes is a little better and more versatile there with his added strength. Donte seems superior on offense though. So imo Grimes deserves more time to see if he can get going offensively more before we demote him. Donte is less shy to shoot and handle the ball, but that’s expected since hes a veteran now and has played with Brunson/Hart before. Grimes has more potential, but playing with the starters he seems lost on O so maybe the bench would be positive for his development.

Either way, a good problem to have for now. Donte, Grimes, and IQ are all nice 2 way guards. May have to let one go at some point soon to balance the roster more, but they’re doing well together at the moment.

[HarthorneWingo]

I like to be fair. Dd is more well rounded than grimes. We’re better w him starting

And you say that after 2 games vs. awful teams?

Didn’t Donte start on the Bucks championship team?

You make it seem like these are the first two good games he’s ever had. lol