In an effort to upgrade his skills on the ball and as a play-maker, second-year Knicks guard Quentin Grimes trained with four-time NBA All-Star and current University of Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway for a second consecutive offseason, per Zach Braziller of the New York Post (subscription required).
“He’s kind of like a big uncle to me,” Grimes said of Hardaway. “Just took me under his wing and helped me play the point guard position a lot better, because that’s what I was in high school… Last year, they didn’t necessarily need me to do that — got to come in, play extremely hard on defense, knock down shots. I feel like next year my role will be expanded a little bit more. … I’m a scorer, really. I love getting to the mid-range, getting all the way to the rim, getting fouled. I like having an all-around game.”
The 6’5″ shooting guard out of Houston was selected with the No. 25 pick in the 2021 draft. A right kneecap injury and a bout with COVID-19 limited his on-court availability to just 46 contests. In 17.1 MPG, he averaging 6.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.0 APG and 0.7 SPG. As Braziller writes, Grimes shone bright during Summer League in Las Vegas last month, averaging 21.4 PPG on 41% field goal shooting, plus 4.2 RPG and 4.0 APG.
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- Jared Weiss of The Athletic explores how 2014 lottery pick Noah Vonleh could help the Celtics if he makes the team’s 15-man regular season roster following his training camp audition. Weiss thinks Boston could benefit from Vonleh’s abilities as a screener with some defensive versatility as a post presence. In 339 games played for seven teams, the 26-year-old holds averages of 4.9 PPG and 5.1 RPG. He spent last year with the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA. In terms of NBA action, Vonleh most recently suited up for the Nets during the 2020/21 season.
- Raptors head coach Nick Nurse is preparing to juggle the challenge of doling out time for three exciting bench players who are still in early phases of their NBA development, per Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. When it comes allocating rotation minutes for Malachi Flynn, Dalano Banton and Justin Champagnie, Nurse spoke candidly about his approach. “I can envision sitting in front of [media members] a lot here coming up in these press conferences, pre- and post-game, asking me about why he played and why he didn’t,” Nurse said. “I think there will be some serious finessing about it, but it’s turning in my head a little bit and I can see us using a lot of them different ways.”
- During an appearance on the Vince Carter Show podcast, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers heaped praise on breakout shooting guard Tyrese Maxey (h/t to Adam Herman of NBC Sports Philadelphia for the transcription). “He’s the most impressive young player I’ve ever had, in 21 years of coaching,” Rivers said. “His work ethic, Vince, is beyond belief.” As Herman notes, Rivers has coached All-Stars like Blake Griffin, Al Jefferson, Ben Wallace, and Rajon Rondo in similarly early phases of their NBA careers. Maxey enjoyed an excellent second season in 2021/22. His 17.5 PPG, 4.3 APG, and 3.2 RPG are all almost double his rookie season output.
Grimes looked good in SL. He looks more leaner and more confident. He gets his handle right. Then he can be starter. Then the sky is the limit. Good to see young players work on their game.
Nttilikina, Knox ???? what happened to these guys.
Like Grimes but unfortunately he’ll be part of Mitchell trade.
Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett & Quentin Grimes are all guys I watched & was big fans of even before they got to college. They all starred as hs players & in FIBA play reppin their country. You can add Cam Reddish & Immanuel Quickley to that list too. All those guys are very talented players who can help a team win games. But which of those guys is gonna lead the Knicks to anything worth winning? This is a team with a hard ceiling unless they make a substantial move at the deadline
Still 1 of the most dominant performances I’ve ever seen on a basketball court.. RJ carried his team to the W vs a team of all-stars (they def coulda used Zion tho), in a lose or go home game. 38pts, 13rebs 5asts & only 1 turnover & if you watch the game you’ll see thst the #same don’t even do his game justice. All that being said I just don’t see this guy leading his team to a playoff win any time soon. His shot is still inconsistent, he’s not the best decision maker with the ball (same can be said for Randle) & he’s way too left hand dependent. On the bright side watching RJ should give people a higher appreciation for James Harden. Those 2 guys are similar I a bunch of ways but Harden has a much higher bball iq & that’s the main reason he’s a future 1st ballot HOFer… link to m.youtube.com
RJ would be great as a third option on a really good team. But that’s his ceiling IMO.
I’d say that rn he’d be best as a 3rd option but I highly doubt he’d be willing to play that type of role. He’s in a contract yr plus he’s used to being the man & sorta sees it as his birthright ti eventually be the best player in the world at some point. As far as his ceiling, it’s actually pretty high. Especially offensively. Once this guy is 28,29 he’s gonna have serious physical advantages over most wings & his decision making should be better by then too. If any current Knick is gonna lead them to glory it’s RJ but I just don’t see it happening anytime soon
I thought Vonleh just signed to play in Europe…
Nope.
Doc said that about Tyrese mainly bc Blake & Rondo don’t like him & never did. Another example of him being petty (& extremely transparent tbh).
Doc is the Biggest Conman as a coach ever!
Maxey has definitely stepped it up. Sixers got lucky he fell to them. Everything I’ve read about him. Is he loves playing. And is all about getting better. Just shows it takes more than talent. Talent with the right attitude will take you a long ways. Good to see young guys who want it. And will do what it takes to go for it.
Tyrese Maxie looked like an upcoming star to me last season! Made 132 threes; 42.7%! I think he’s being overlooked & undervalued. Now hearing he works extremely hard to be better I expect big things for him this year. Of course now Philly has Harden (which I think was a bad move) who if he stays healthy, is likely to hamper Maxie.
How can you say that harden will hinder maxeys play? Didnt maxey go off for like 30ppg the first five games after they acquired harden?
Well, James Harden is ball dominant so Maxie will get less touches, less minutes & less of everything.
Kentucky guards. Maxey, Herro, SGA, Fox, Murray, Booker, Knight, Wall, Bledsoe, and Rondo. 10 out of 16 good to great guards from Kentucky taken in the 1st round since 2006. Ty, Sharpe, Quickley and Monk still have time to show up. Monk plays a bit better than last season and he’ll below in the grouping above.
Grimes was on the threshold of winning the starting 2G spot last year prior to his second injury, and, if the roster remains as it is, I expect he’ll get there before the season gets too far along. 2 way guy who fits our emerging culture, and what we need skill set-wise on the wing opposite RJ. Just got to let the game come to him a bit more on the offensive end.
Cam > Grimes
In the mind of a ATL homer, perhaps, but not in the minds of any NBA FO (including ATL’s). Reddish’s value has gone down every year since he was in High School. At this point, his window to turn his career around is shrinking. He does have a fresh start and (if he’s smart enough to realize it) the right HC. As a Knick fan, I hope he does. But the history of these things suggest it would be foolish to be too optimistic.