The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls 101-69. New York continues to demonstrate their veteran savviness throughout Summer League.
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The New York Knicks overwhelmed the Chicago Bulls with a 101 to 69 victory. New York’s returning sophomores took control of the game from the opening tip and never looked back. The beauty of their dominance is that it allowed each player to try things they hadn’t shown us before. For example, Jericho Sims took defensive rebounds up the floor, and Quentin Grimes crossed players up and threw dimes.
This is Summer League, so we know never to take results too seriously. But the new wrinkles and attempts at expanded roles from sophomores showed why Summer League is valuable. So let’s look at the key players in the dominant victory.
New York’s sophomores take over with the starting lineup
Miles McBride: 14 PTS (6/8 FG, 2/4 3PT), 6 AST, 3 REB, 3 STL, 1 TO in 24 mins
Miles McBride felt like he was in command of this game whenever he touched the ball. McBride scored early on catch and shoot opportunities, then made some pull-up midrange jumpers. He juggled his efficient scoring with some clever creation for teammates to the tune of six assists and just one turnover. He didn’t get his feet into the paint enough for my liking, but he operated inside of the arc far more than last game.
When the lead swelled, McBride switched to an off-ball role and allowed youngsters Trevor Keels and Jean Montero to take over the playmaking late. I appreciate the maturity of that approach.
We’re already used to McBride’s pressure defense, but it was dominant tonight. He lived in the passing lanes with deflections and steals. His potential as a disruptor at the point of attack gives him a skill that other point guards on the roster can’t offer.
Quentin Grimes: 24 PTS (7/14 FG, 4/9 3PT, 6/6 FT), 4 AST, 4 REB, 4 TO in 23 mins
Quentin Grimes was as dominant as he told reporters he planned to be. Grimes hit multiple long jumpers before breaking down defenders off the dribble to draw free throws and finish at the rim. His range stretched well beyond the arc, providing plenty of space to attack off the dribble. It felt like Grimes could get the shot he wanted whenever he felt like attacking.
Don’t mind the turnover count, either. Grimes was aggressive as a playmaker, leading to some turnovers and incredible dimes. That’s a side of his game that we’ve only seen hints of in the past, and never with the consistency that he’s shown in these first two games.
Defensively, there’s nothing new to report, but that’s not a bad thing. Grimes has the potential to be a stopper in the NBA which means he overwhelms most match-ups at this level of competition.
Trevor Keels: 5 PTS (2/10 FG, 1/4 3PT), 4 AST, 4 REB in 25 mins
It’s important to remember that Trevor Keels is an incredibly young prospect. His stat-line looks rough after this game, as he struggled to hit jumpers or create enough separation to score inside. But he did throw some nice assists and flashed solid presence as a pick and roll ball handler.
Keels had a better performance defensively than he did in his first outing. It’s tough to stand out with so much talent around him, but the 18-year-old held his own against match-ups.
The kid’s a clear project, but I think he’s flashed some potential. I’ll be curious to see how this year helps to mold and develop him.
Feron Hunt: 5 PTS (1/4 FG, 0/2 3PT, 3/4 FT), 1 AST, 2 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 23 mins
The Bulls stayed in front of Feron Hunt and kept him from scoring at the basket, as he did in his dunk-fest against the Golden State Warriors. Hunt seems limited to straight-line drives right now. It was good to see that Hunt was a willing shooter, but his jump shots didn’t fall.
On the bright side, Hunt’s hard work helped him stand out without scoring well. He applied pressure on defense which sparked turnovers and helped create multiple fast breaks. His defense seems like it can translate to tougher competition.
Hunt’s athleticism and motor make his potential intriguing, though there are clear limitations at the moment. Nevertheless, he has plenty of tools to justify his two-way contract.
Jericho Sims: 11 PTS (5/6 FG, 1/5 FT), 10 REB, 3 AST, 5 TO in 23 mins
Jericho Sims showed us some offensive skills that I had no idea he had. Sims sometimes pushed the pace by taking his own defensive rebounds up past half-court. He also attacked defenders face up from the top of the key. Sims’ footwork stood out, as he used it to score in a post-up and with a clever euro step off the dribble.
He’s in the same boat as Grimes concerning the turnovers. It was clear that he was new to handling the ball so often. That led to some mishaps. But I’m okay with a few turnovers because they came as Sims worked on adding a new wrinkle to his game.
Sims’ defense stood out last year, but he’s improved on that end as well. His defensive positioning has been fantastic, and I can’t count how many times he’s locked up perimeter players on the switch. He also looks overpowering when he establishes a position for rebounds. His new contract is already a steal.
A pair of standouts off New York’s bench
Daquan Jeffries: 13 PTS (5/7 FG, 1/2 3PT, 2/2 FT), 1 AST, 6 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 22. Mins
I think Daquan Jeffries has a case for most impressive player of the undrafted names at Summer League. Feron Hunt’s dunks and athleticism have stolen the show, but Jeffries is an outstanding athlete in his own right. Jeffries also impressed by knocking down jumpers and appearing more comfortable handling the ball.
Jeffries isn’t the defender that Hunt is, but he’s no slouch on that end. He stuck with the Knicks’ overall identity of applying pressure and helping at the rim. Most importantly, he worked on the boards while Sims was resting.
Jean Montero: 9 PTS (4/8 FG, 1/5 3PT), 1 AST, 1 REB, 1 STL, 2 TO in 17 mins
Jean Montero flashed again as a ball mover, despite registering just one assist. His defense is surprisingly effective for a player his height. The undersized guard couldn’t find his jumper, though, which will be a crucial tool to compensate for his size disadvantage.
Brief notes on the coach, Dice Yoshimoto
Dice Yoshimoto deserves a shoutout both for how he’s managed the rotation and for the disciplined approach of players. The Knicks never let their foot off the gas when leads swelled. That allowed third-string players to get most of the fourth-quarter action.
There’s also a healthy dose of experimenting from the Knicks’ best pieces. Players seem freed to try new things and leave their comfort zones. Grimes’ playmaking, McBride firing from the elbows, and Sims taking defenders off the dribble are new looks with a clear purpose for each player. I’ll give credit to the coach for allowing that freedom.
Closing thoughts
As this team steamrolls their competition, it feels like a good time to point out that even the dominant players will be fighting for minutes. Quentin Grimes has a shot at a starting role, but the other players are projected to be a third-stringer or a G-leaguer. Despite that, these players already move and play like a Tom Thibodeau roster.
It’s exciting to see the New York Knicks truly develop an identity and a culture. I have my qualms about Thibs’ rotations, but his basketball philosophy seems pervasive from the top to the bottom of this organization. That means we can reliably expect strong effort and tough defense.
It feels like the Knicks have genuinely built a pipeline from Westchester to the Garden. We’re witnessing what a year of G-League development can do as returning players dominate. That’s an excellent sign for a franchise that boasts many young players and an army of future picks. But the next step will be having these developmental players break into the NBA rotation and have an impact.
I won’t be able to recap the late-night action against Portland, but I’ll be back after Thursday’s match-up with the Magic and their number one pick, Paulo Banchero. We’ll see how that match-up goes in the following recap. I’ll see you there, Knicks’ fam!
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out CP and Ian Begley giving their offseason grades for the New York Knicks!
