New York Knicks second-year guard Quentin Grimes has finally seen the court more with Cam Reddish out with a groin injury, starting in place of him for three consecutive games.
In those three starts, Grimes has played solidly despite shooting just 2-13 from 3, as entering Sunday, he is averaging 8/5/4 with nearly a block and a steal per game in that three-game span.
With Grimes displaying a large impact in several different facets, the Knicks should consider making him the full-time starting shooting guard and have Cam Reddish return to his bench role to be a good scoring option in the second unit.
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Quentin Grimes is one of the Knicks’ best perimeter defenders:
Grimes has been tasked with guarding superstar players such as Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while being in the starting lineup, a daunting task for anybody.
However, Grimes has held his own and has guarded his matchup pretty well, which is a welcome sight for the Knicks coaching staff, as perimeter defense has been a massive struggle for New York this season.
Grimes is improving remarkably in the playmaking department:
Grimes showed off his playmaking prowess in Summer League, averaging 4.3 APG with just three turnovers per game in four Summer League.
Grimes has looked very sharp with moving the ball, making quick decisions, and dishing beautiful dimes to his fellow Knicks teammates.
His improvement in the playmaking aspect of his game could form a lethal playmaking combo of Grimes and Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 6.5 APG this season which is 15th best in the NBA.
Despite Grimes’ struggles from shooting beyond the arc, the expectation is that it will come around sooner rather than later. Remember, Grimes dealt with a nagging foot injury for most of the start of the season, and with him suddenly being inserted as a starter amidst the injury adversity, it is premature to be concerned about his shooting.
With Grimes’ playmaking leap, the Knicks could have two legitimate combo guards in their starting backcourt, which would help improve the pace and ball movement so much for New York.
Grimes credits his success to working out with former NBA star Penny Hardaway over the summer and says that he wants to return to his play style that he used when he played at Houston.
“I feel like coming into this season, I wanted to get back to how I played in college,” Grimes said. “Putting the ball on the floor, make plays. I feel like I showed that in Summer League and working out with Penny [Hardaway] this summer, kind of the way he sees the game.”
Quentin Grimes via Newsday
Grimes could get another starting opportunity on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies despite Cam Reddish being available for the game. We will see what Tom Thibodeau decides.
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