” Dennis can be coached hard if youre a straight shooter,” one NBA workers person stated. “And Thibs reputation is being a straight shooter.”
Dennis Smith Jr. (r.) is at a Knicks crossroads.Corey SipkinThibodeau has actually been something of a point-guard whisperer dating to Derrick Rose, however is unwilling to examine a gamer until he begins working with him.
GM Scott Perry declined former player advancement director Craig Robinsons pleas to send out Smith to the G-League to alleviate him back.
Hes not a prototypical Thibs gamer. Defense and ball-sharing have actually never been high on Smiths priority list. Smith may feel he desires a fresh start out of New York.
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If the Knicks re-sign Taj Gibson, he understands exactly what Thibodeau desires from their previous experiences together in Chicago and Minnesota. Frank Ntilikina is a defense-first, pass-first point guard. He might actually get traction under Thibs, who is everything about ball sharing and D. RJ Barrett, too, has the high motor and commitment that Thibodeau enjoys. The jury is out on the Thibodeau/Julius Randle match as the former Laker showed in his only Knicks season a tendency to over-dribble and not be a force on defense. Randle likewise has not been a winner in his profession, failing to make it to the playoffs. Kevin Knoxs low motor will not agree with Thibodeau.
Smith missed out on 3 weeks early in the season after his stepmother died, then was out with an oblique injury for a month. He likewise sat out the seasons final 7 video games with a concussion.
Thibodeaus and brand-new managements thoughts on Dennis Smith Jr.s future as a Knick?– Darryl D.
Its now or never for Smith Jr. as the uber-athletic point guard enters the final gets in of last rookie contract, paying him $5.7 million. Can Thibodeau salvage the profession of the 2017 lottery game pick who suffered a major regression last season?
The Knicks have actually hired a share of new hunting blood led by one of the NBAs leading college scouts in Walt Perrin. Perry will run the draft however with the occasion pressed to Oct. 16, Thibodeau has time to adjust himself with the existing lottery crop. Okoro, out of Auburn, is a solid small-forward defender but the Knicks may want a more transformative player if they choose in the leading 6.
The North Carolina State item played in 34 games, averaged 5.5 points and after that interim coach Mike Miller didnt take to him. Now its up to Thibodeau– hopefully throughout OTAs for the “Delete 8″ or individual exercises– to figure him out. Smith could be traded on draft night.
Thibodeaus and brand-new managements thoughts on Dennis Smith Jr.s future as a Knick? The Knicks have employed a share of new hunting blood led by one of the NBAs top college scouts in Walt Perrin. Okoro, out of Auburn, is a strong small-forward defender however the Knicks might want a more transformative gamer if they pick in the top 6. Which current Knicks player( s) do you expect to stand out with the hiring of the brand-new coach? If the Knicks re-sign Taj Gibson, he knows precisely what Thibodeau desires from their previous experiences together in Chicago and Minnesota.
” Dennis needs to develop a bit and become a terrific employee,” one NBA source said. “He requires to step it up or he will be in China quickly.”
President Leon Rose said of Smith “thats an unique talent right there.” Seemed like Rose was trying to up his trade value.
Which current Knicks player( s) do you expect to excel with the hiring of the brand-new coach? Which do you expect to fall back based on Thibodeaus viewpoint and design?– Jude Auguste.
Another NBA scout cautions about the previous Maverick, “Hes certainly not a Thibs kind of gamer, however lets see how committed they are to getting him. You dont desire to force it since they traded Porzingis for him.
Smiths dive shot was anything however straight last season, however 3 major disruptions damaged his 3rd season and made the Kristaps Porzingis trade look a lot more harsh. Porzingis is balancing 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in the Orlando bubble for the high-flying Mavericks.
