Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
What we have learned so far from the New York Knicks first workouts under Tom Thibodeau.
The New York Knicks are finally playing basketball as a team again. Most of last year’s squad is in New York for voluntary workouts granted to the eight teams who were left out of the NBA’s return-to-play scenario in Orlando, Florida.
This is the first time the Knicks have conducted official team activities since mid-March, following their overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks in what turned out to be their final game of the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For recently-hired head coach Tom Thibodeau, these workouts provide him his first opportunity to work with the young talent on the Knicks roster, along with a few veterans who could find their way back on the team next season, depending on what the front office decides to do with their non-guaranteed contracts and team options.
Mitchell Robinson – one of the franchise’s cornerstone pieces – decided not to participate in these workouts due to personal reasons. However, all of the other young players – from RJ Barrett to Frank Ntilikina to Dennis Smith Jr. – have been in attendance. Veterans Taj Gibson and Bobby Portis are also part of the mix despite the possibility that neither is with the team next season.
To follow quarantining protocols, the Knicks are staying in a Manhattan hotel before commuting to Tarrytown for team activities. They conducted individual workouts – one player with one coach – before entering their own “mini-bubble” to start team practices this week.
Let’s break down some of the things we have learned from the workouts.
pic.twitter.com/za3qjKIvKV
<p>— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://twitter.com/sny_knicks/status/1308856837798875137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 23, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Perhaps that will all change under Thibodeau. Something, as he noted in his answer, that will be dependent on the front office acquiring the right personnel to allow the Knicks to capitalize on the efficient three-pointer.</p>
<p>Focusing on the players already on the roster, this could create an opportunity for Frank Ntilikina to expand his game. We already know what he can do on defense, one of the overwhelming identity points on any Thibs-coached team. But last season, he showed flashes of what he can do from the corner of the floor.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thibs talked about defense and corner threes as keys to the Knicks new identity:</p>
<p>We know about Frank Ntilikina’s defense, but did you know he’s one of the best corner three shooters on the team (93rd percentile among guards)? <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://t.co/xN8RDIs1c3">pic.twitter.com/xN8RDIs1c3
<p>— JB (@JeffreyBellone) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://twitter.com/JeffreyBellone/status/1309162482875932673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 24, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>On limited attempts, Ntilikina ranked in the 93rd percentile among guards in shooting accuracy on corner threes. He was in the 7th percentile the season prior to this one. Whether or not he can turn this into one of his strengths could be key in deciding how he fits long-term on the Knicks roster as a lockdown defender who can also help on the offensive side of the floor.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2) RJ looks swoll </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-107829" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1074,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F03%2F1214334979.jpeg" alt="Knicks" width="1600" height="1074" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/03/1214334979.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2020/03/1214334979-768x516.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">RJ Barrett, New York Knicks (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2) RJ Barrett looks great</h2>
<p>RJ Barrett’s rookie season wasn’t terrible, but it could have been a lot better had the Steve Mills-led front office put more complementary pieces around him. The former Duke star was surrounded by the worst spacing in the NBA last season. Of course, he didn’t help his cause with his own shooting woes.</p>
<p>After <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/03/ny-knicks-rj-barrett-8th-rookie-of-the-year/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finishing 8th in Rookie of the Year voting</a> and missing both All-Rookie teams, there is plenty of motivation for Barrett to prove he belongs among the top young players from the 2019 draft class. We are watching what Tyler Herro is doing in Miami. It’s amazing how playing for a winning team can catapult a player into a position to succeed.</p>
<p>While pictures have leaked on social media to give fans a hint of his added muscle, people working closely with Barrett say he is “<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://nypost.com/2020/09/22/rj-barretts-all-rookie-team-snub-makes-no-sense/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ripped</a>” after spending most of the break training out of his home in Orlando.</p>
<p>Barrett has been getting extra attention from new associate head coach and development guru Johnnie Bryant during the team workouts. This comes as promising news to Knicks fans who have been learning about Bryant’s influence on star players such as Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell.</p>
<p>Besides building a roster with poor spacing, Steve Mills also failed to invest in development coaches to help his young players grow into the pro game, something that is clearly a point of emphasis under Leon Rose.</p>
<p>Thibodeau indicated on Friday that he expects more coaches to join his staff. SNY has reported that the Knicks will add several development coaches beyond the assistants already hired. This should all be beneficial to RJ Barrett, who already appears to be getting stronger.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3) Role of the new assistants </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-91952" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_560,w_850/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F07%2F489708025-washington-wizards-v-new-york-knicks.jpg" alt="Knicks"></h2>
<h2>3) Role of the new assistants</h2>
<p>One of the most intriguing aspects of monitoring the Knicks workouts from afar has been seeing the new assistant coaches in action. When the Knicks social media team shared a photo of the assistant staff watching Kevin Knox, it nearly broke Twitter.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Knicks new coaching staff is clearly excited about Kevin Knox <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://t.co/x0y8zDfwAk">pic.twitter.com/x0y8zDfwAk
<p>— JB (@JeffreyBellone) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://twitter.com/JeffreyBellone/status/1308916832749924352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 23, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>As Alex Wolfe pointed out on a recent <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://twitter.com/LockedOnKnicks/status/1309184889388965889?s=20%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">Locked on Knicks podcast</a>, it appears, at least initially, that former Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne is working with the forwards, while former Jazz assistant Johnnie Bryant is focused on the guards. This makes perfect sense based on their reputations in helping star players develop at those respective positions.</p>
<p>According to Jonathan Macri of Knicks Film School, Payne has been working “<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://knicksfilmschool.substack.com/p/re-litigating-randle-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">almost exclusively</a>” with two of his former Kentucky players, Julius Randle and Kevin Knox, along with Mitchell Robinson—although Robinson has not been part of the team workouts.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Bryant has been seen working with Barrett and Frank Ntilikina, among others. And Mike Woodson was recorded with two-way player Kenny Wooten during individual workouts. Wooten has been very complimentary of his time training with the Knicks staff.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://twitter.com/kennywootenjr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@kennywootenjr working with Mike Woodson on his shooting</p>
<p>🎥 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://t.co/FpCUoAl1yl">https://t.co/FpCUoAl1yl <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://t.co/9nX9NWZ7j3">pic.twitter.com/9nX9NWZ7j3
<p>— Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://twitter.com/DailyKnicksFS/status/1308240534675369984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 22, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>While New York will probably add several new pieces to the roster before next season begins, it is good to see the young players are already benefiting from the new coaching hires.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="1 FA target on every Northwest division team" data-url="https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/22/ny-knicks-free-agent-target-northwest-division/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/26/ny-knicks-learned-team-workouts-so-far/"https://dailyknicks.com/2020/09/22/ny-knicks-free-agent-target-northwest-division/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 1 FA target on every Northwest division team </a> </div>
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<p>The Knicks are stuck in an impossible situation, waiting for the current league year to end, while uncertainty surrounds the start of the next season. How do they keep their roster fresh? How do they continue to develop their young players? It starts with individual workouts, like the ones the team is allowed this week. It’s hard to read too much into these practices, but at least it’s a start.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
