Malcolm Brogdon got first-half minutes Saturday in Abu Dhabi as part of the competition for a Knicks‘ roster spot, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Coach Mike Brown is giving all three veterans with non-guaranteed contracts a chance to be on the floor with rotation players. Landry Shamet got his opportunity on Thursday, and Garrison Mathews is expected to be in that role during Friday’s game against Minnesota.
“Trying to see different guys we’ve signed with different combinations,” Brown said. “And putting them in at different — I may throw a guy in for three minutes. And if I throw him in for three minutes, part of that is I may use him that way in the regular season or I may use him that way if he makes the team in the regular season. So how does he respond? So I’m experimenting right now.”
Brogdon posted five points, four rebounds and two steals in 13 minutes as New York wrapped up a sweep of Philadelphia in their two overseas games. Playing in the second half, Shamet went scoreless in nine minutes and Mathews finished with six points while shooting 1-of-5 from the field.
There’s more on the Knicks:
- Josh Hart was held out of action today after suffering a back injury that a team representative is calling “spasms,” Bondy adds in the same piece. Hart fell to the court in pain in the second quarter of Thursday’s game and was holding his lower back as he walked to the locker room. “It’s preseason and we’re going to err on the side of caution,” the representative told Bondy. “We’ll see where he is when (we get home).”
- The Knicks were more successful in implementing Brown’s up-tempo offense in their second game under their new head coach, Bondy states in a separate story. Brown wants his team to push the ball in transition, and Jalen Brunson said the guards ran to the corners every time Philadelphia missed a shot. “Pace doesn’t necessarily mean fast,” Brunson said. “Obviously we want to get the ball across half-court in a certain time frame. But it’s about playing smart, seeing what the defense does and just reading that. We weren’t really trying to leak out, but we were trying to sprint to corners and we were getting behind the defense and we were able to get layups. So as long as we come away with a stop, that allows us to run.”
- Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News assesses the players who saw court time in Abu Dhabi and examines how their games are changing with Brown in charge.
Yawn ….. nothing happened in Abu Dhabi. Except Hart getting more banged up. Personally I don’t see what a few gms is going to tell you about those three vets. Landry was our best guy off the bench last year. He ain’t going anywhere. Mathews doesn’t play D. So I don’t see him making the team. Brogdon looks good so far. I don’t see him beating out McBride. Need more games for me ……..
What price would you give for Atlanta to go further than the Knicks.
+300 probably less it’s not that crazy
You’re correct. Brogden is 3rd string. There aren’t enough minutes for Brogdon, McBride and Clarkston. Bridges and OG are playing 34-35 minutes a night leaving 13 minutes only at the 2 guard. So if McBride was going to play it’s at point. To your credit so far he has shown the ability. So here is my next question that leaves Brogdon for 3rd string 2nd string if there is an injury or night off for a player.
For Mathew I like his game for spot minutes. Honestly The position he’s in 14/15th man Is really not coming into play defense. You probably wouldn’t go that far on your bench to have them play extended minutes. So for injuries and spot minutes, Matthews to me has shown the ability to knock down jump shots. Which if he can knock down one or two of them in 4 to 7 minutes. He’s a plus on the floor.
So really it’s him or shamet if you get rid of Kolek or Dait. I’ve already expressed how I felt about Dadeit.
Bronson 35 min/McBride
Bridges 35min/Clarkson
OG/ heart
Kat/OG/GY
Mitchell/Kat/Hulk
That’s 9 players. You add one for back to backs. But that’s when Clarkson and GY are going to want more minutes. 10th man Is Brogdon and Hulk who has shown he might play Mitchell out of town if he gets another extended injury. After that you have two prospect spots as your 12th and 13th. And you’re 14 and 15th are only crazy injuries that are extended. So hmm Mathews or shamet. Last spot goes to a two-way spot which is to dewair.
I hope Robinson gets the starting spot or close to starting minutes, will be a really good last round centre for fantasy this year