The Knicks, tied for fifth in the East after walloping the Warriors, have a chance to keep climbing, SIChrisMannix writes
, a Thibs favorite, was too. Grimes, a sturdy, 6'5" guard, was bumped into the starting lineup. Miles McBride was bumped up to a larger role. The result has been a vastly improved defense—most notably when it comes to defending the three-point line—and a starting lineup with one of the best point differentials in the NBA.Grimes in particular has been a revelation.
was reportedly among the reasons a deal fell apart last offseason. And while the jury is still out on—Mitchell is an All-NBA candidate in Cleveland—New York’s faith in Grimes is being rewarded. They are 11–5 with him in the starting lineup. He's shooting 38.7% from three during that stretch. Routinely matched up against opponents’ top perimeter player, Grimes has done well. The combination of Grimes, McBride and Immanuel Quickley has given Thibodeau a reliable defensive backcourt rotation.
“It’s been tremendous,” said Grimes. “Having a leader like that in the locker room, on the court, and off the court. When he’s off the court, he’s being vocal to us, talking about different coverages defensively. He’s been a great leader for us on all cylinders. Really.” Nothing is won in December, of course. The Knicks learned that in 2020–21, when an inspiring 41-win season ended with an embarrassing five-game ousting in the first round of the playoffs. O’Neal may be proved right. But with Brunson, an improved defense and a rotation that works, New York will have a chance to prove Shaq and all the skeptics wrong.
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