The Knicks are staring special right in the face with rookie Quentin Grimes

quentin grimes, knicks

“He’s good, he’s really good,” Knicks power forward Julius Randle said regarding Quentin Grimes after the team’s win over Sacramento on Monday night.

Randle may not be getting many positive headlines himself, but Grimes has been progressively making a positive impact on the team.

Ranging from his aggressive defense to his shooting capabilities, Grimes is quickly becoming one of the team’s primary scoring options off the bench.

Averaging 5.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and shooting 40% of three-point range the season, the 21-year-old has made a lasting impact on head coach Tom Thibodeau and his teammates.

Ultimately, it’s all about mentality and what you do off the court to prepare for live action. Grimes takes practice very seriously, working diligently to improve his game so he can earn more minutes on the floor.

“If I’m bs-ing in practice, it’s not going to help me in the game, especially as a rookie.”

In the month of January, Grimes is averaging 21.3 minutes, his highest number since the start of his rookie season. He’s also averaging a season-high 7.7 points per game, 1.4 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in the month of January. His 43% shooting from range has benefited his squad tremendously.

“He competes on the defensive end, but I think he has a lot more to his game other than just shooting the ball,” Julius Randle said. “He can get in the lane. He can finish. He plays at a really good pace. And every time he shoots the ball, it looks like it’s going in.”

When the Knicks initially drafted Grimes out of Houston, they had another player in mind, Chris Duarte out of Oregon. Missing on Duarte, a more prolific scorer, they looked to Quentin to be a reliable defensive option. On the season, he hosts an impressive 101.5 defensive rating, one of the best grades on the team.
Thibodeau has gotten everything and more out of Grimes during his first season in the NBA, helping refine his scoring qualities. As Randle mentions, he’s become more of a playmaker with experience, but his defensive traits stand out the most, especially as the Knicks struggle in that category.
After the departure of Reggie Bullock, the Knicks desperately needed a 3-and-D contributor who can hit consistent shots from deep and play aggressive on-ball defense. He’s connecting on 53% of his three-point attempts from the corners, recording three double-digit games in his last four contests.
Against the Kings on Monday, Grimes recorded 14 points, three steals, four rebounds, and shot 40% from deep over 23 minutes. However, he’s also capable of finishing from inside the arc, recording three field goals from two-point range in the win.
The Knicks are staring quality right in the face with one of their youngest players, providing plenty of optimism and hope he can develop into a legitimate starter moving forward.