What a Difference a Year Makes - Backcourt Edition
Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2021 8:51 pm
Just think, this time last year our backcourt consisted of the following:
2020/21
Elfred Payton, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank N, RJ Barrett, IQ, Reggie Bullocks, (Alec Burks as swingman)
2021/22
Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, RJ Barret, Evan Fornier, IQ, Duece McBride, Quentin Grimes
To do this and not mortgage the future but instead actually INCREASE our assets, shows that the days of the Knicks being fleeced by other teams ARE OVER. I know it is hard to accept after so many years of FO futility, but we actually have people in charge who KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
I don't know about anyone else but the front office has to be given a standing ovation for this transformation. Now it is up to Thibs and the development staff to get the most of out of these players. I won't lie, in Duece McBride and Quentin Grimes I truly believe we have our starting backcourt of the future. Only question is how soon that future is realized. In the meantime who better to be mentored by than Walker and Rose?? Two vets who can still play at an extremely high level when healthy to show the new recruits how its done. I spent some time watching video of Fornier and while he is not a "star" he is definitely the kind of "team" player that every winning team needs. He reminds a little in terms of his role, of Ginobili of those championship Spurs teams. He was definitely, a "glue" guy who kept everything together, who was fearless and who played some of his best basketball in the biggest games. He is definitely an upgrade over Bullocks, it is not even close. Now, RJ just needs to show progression; he doesn't have to be "the man", just show improvement from last year and we will have one of the best overall backcourts in the NBA.
2020/21
Elfred Payton, Dennis Smith Jr., Frank N, RJ Barrett, IQ, Reggie Bullocks, (Alec Burks as swingman)
2021/22
Kemba Walker, Derrick Rose, RJ Barret, Evan Fornier, IQ, Duece McBride, Quentin Grimes
To do this and not mortgage the future but instead actually INCREASE our assets, shows that the days of the Knicks being fleeced by other teams ARE OVER. I know it is hard to accept after so many years of FO futility, but we actually have people in charge who KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
I don't know about anyone else but the front office has to be given a standing ovation for this transformation. Now it is up to Thibs and the development staff to get the most of out of these players. I won't lie, in Duece McBride and Quentin Grimes I truly believe we have our starting backcourt of the future. Only question is how soon that future is realized. In the meantime who better to be mentored by than Walker and Rose?? Two vets who can still play at an extremely high level when healthy to show the new recruits how its done. I spent some time watching video of Fornier and while he is not a "star" he is definitely the kind of "team" player that every winning team needs. He reminds a little in terms of his role, of Ginobili of those championship Spurs teams. He was definitely, a "glue" guy who kept everything together, who was fearless and who played some of his best basketball in the biggest games. He is definitely an upgrade over Bullocks, it is not even close. Now, RJ just needs to show progression; he doesn't have to be "the man", just show improvement from last year and we will have one of the best overall backcourts in the NBA.
