Quentin Grimes continues to be a bright spot for the New York Knicks, and why he has been an important factor in New York’s success.
As rumors swirled regarding the Knicks’ pursuit of Donovan Mitchell this past summer, second-year guard Quentin Grimes had to tune out the noise. Often mentioned in trade talks as the primary target of the Utah Jazz and a piece the Knicks desperately wanted to keep, the 22-year-old bunkered down and continued to grow his game. A few months later, with the Mitchell trade drama in the rearview mirror, the Knicks are reaping the benefits of his work.
After recovering from a foot injury that cost him the first six games of the season, Grimes’ return to play gave the Knicks a true spark. Starting in 26 of his 31 games played this season, Grimes is averaging 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 37.6 percent from deep on 5.1 attempts per game. Defensively, Grimes has taken on the challenge of guarding the other team’s best scorer on a nightly basis which has benefited the entire unit. In only 892 minutes, he ranks third on the Knicks in overall plus/minus at +109, and the Knicks’ starting lineup has skyrocketed up the league rankings in net rating since his return.
“I don’t want to overlook his contribution either. Just because in this situation, you have to guard a lot of guys with size, and sometimes he was on their smaller guards who are quick and dynamic with the ball. Other times he was on Siakam, Annanoby or Barnes, and those guys pose different problems,” Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau said regarding Grimes’ defense after the Knicks win in Toronto Friday.
With RJ Barrett recovering from his lacerated finger, he embraced the challenge of guarding bigger, more physical players. While this new task comes with growing pains, Grimes is taking the challenge head-on. “I thought he held his ground. I thought he battled. I thought he hit some timely shots for us. He’s playing really aggressively and hard, and it gives us a different tone to our team,” Thibs said.
While the Toronto matchup exemplified Grimes’ individual defensive versatility, his insertion into the starting lineup has lifted the unit’s performance as a whole. During Grimes’ early season absence, the Knicks struggled to guard dribble penetration, therefore, allowing open looks on spray-outs by opposing teams. His absence also forced Barrett to guard the opposing team’s best scorer, which impacted his offensive efficiency and compromised the Knicks’ defense, especially when trying to hide the deficiencies of Evan Fournier.
Grimes’ effort, quick feet, and strong understanding of defensive principles fit seamlessly in the backcourt with Jalen Brunson’s basketball savvy. Both players think the game, communicate, and compete at a high level which has been a major catalyst for the ascension of the Knicks’ defense in recent weeks as the starting unit continues to gel.
Grimes’ defense has quickly established himself as a staple in the starting lineup and a vital piece of the franchise’s long-term plans. While his silky, quick release from beyond the arc has always been a key to his offensive game, Grimes’ growth creating for himself and others has been a pleasant surprise that has boosted the Knicks’ attack.
Grimes has done a great job leveraging his shooting ability and electric first step to create easy opportunities consistently in recent weeks, especially in the corners. He is comfortable attacking closeouts with either hand and has become adept at both the wrap-around and drop-off passes to bigs, with Mitchell Robinson often being the benefactor. Grimes has also shown a variety of athletic finishes around the rim but still has to find consistency as a slasher. Pairing his quick first step with his decisiveness, he forces defenses to react and rotate quickly, creating open shots for others. While he has to be less predictable with his reads in these situations, his playmaking and processing of the game will only grow with experience.
In his second season, Grimes’ all-around game directly correlates to wins for the Knicks. His feel for the game on both ends is undeniable, and he is only scratching the surface of what he can become as an overall player. With continued strides as a playmaker, signs of self-creation, and expected development around the edges of his game, the Knicks appear to have found their starting shooting guard for the foreseeable future. Grimes has made it clear that he is not only a key to the Knicks’ future but also pivotal to their present.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out CP talking with Dexter Henry about the Knicks’ performance up until the midway point of this season!
