You ask, we answer. The Post feeds readers’ questions about New York’s biggest pro sports teams and gets our beat writers to answer them in a series of regularly published mailbags. In today’s installation: the Knicks.
What are [Tom] Thibodeau’s thoughts and new management on the future of Dennis Smith Jr. as Knick? He’s probably one of the most athletic guys on the team. Given the good tutoring and confidence, I think he has Russell Westbrook / Steve Francis potential. – Darryl D.
It’s now or never for Smith Jr. as the uber-athletic point guard enters his rookie contract last year, paying him $ 5.7 million. Can Thibodeau save the career pick from the lottery pick in 2017 that suffered a major regression last season?
He is not a prototypical Thibs player. Defense and sharing of beams were never high on Smith’s priority list. Even Smith may have the feeling that he wants a fresh start from New York.
“Dennis can be hard coached if you’re a straight shooter,” said one NBA staff member. “And Thibs’ reputation is a straight shooter.”
Smith’s jump last season was nothing short of straightforward, but three major interruptions disrupted his third season and made the Kristaps Porzingis trade even more brutal. Porzingis is averaging 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in the Orlando bubble for the high-flying Mavericks.
GM Scott Perry denied former player development director Craig Robinson’s pleas to send Smith to the G-League to return him.
Another NBA scout warns about the former Maverick, ‘He’s definitely not a Thibs-type player, but let’s show how dedicated they are to getting him right. You do not want to force it, because they traded Porzingis for him. Knowing when to cut bait is important. There can be too many things arranged with him. ”
Thibodeau has been somewhat of a point-guard whisperer dating Derrick Rose, but is reluctant to evaluate a player until he starts working with him.
Smith missed three weeks early in the season after his stepmother died, and was then out for a month with a slim injury. He also sat out the last seven games of the season with a concussion.
The North Carolina State product played in 34 games, averaging 5.5 points and then interim coach Mike Miller did not take him. Now it’s up to Thibodeau – hopefully during OTAs for the ‘Delete 8’ ‘as individual workouts – to figure him out. Smith could be earned on draft night.
President Leon Rose said of Smith “that’s a special talent there.” Sounds like Rose was trying to increase his trade value.
“Dennis needs to get a little mature and become a great worker,” one NBA source said. “He has to step it up, or he’ll be in China soon.”
Now that Thibs is our new coach, how do you see this concept going through? I always felt that way [Tyrese] Haliburton was the best choice at 7. But now I’m not sure. [Isaac] Okoro may be another [Jimmy] Butler and looks like a pick from Thibs. – Knickerbocker Al
The Knicks have hired a share of new scouting blood under the leadership of one of the NBA’s top college scouts in Walt Perrin. Perry will execute the concept, but with the event scheduled for Oct. 16, Thibodeau has time to acclimatize to the current lottery production. He will have more input with the later picks – their selection of the Clippers late in the first round and Charlotte’s second round pick at 38. Okoro, from Auburn, is a solid small-forward defender, but the Knicks may want a more transformative player if they choose in the top six. LaMelo Ball is still their pinnacle protection in this concept – and that’s the position they’ve signed up for. The lottery is August 20.
Which current Player (s) player (s) do you expect to excel with hiring the new coach? What do you expect to return to based on Thibodeau’s philosophy and style? – Jude Auguste
When the Knicks re-sign Taj Gibson, he knows exactly what Thibodeau wants from their previous experiences together in Chicago and Minnesota. Frank Ntilikina is a defensive-first, pass-first point guard. He could really get treats under Thibs, who shares everything about ball and D. RJ Barrett also has the high engine and dedication that Thibodeau loves. The jury is out on the Thibodeau / Julius Randle game because the former Laker in his lone Knicks season shows a tendency to dribble and not be a force on defense. Randle has also not been a winner in his career, and failed to make it to the playoffs. Kevin Knox’s low engine will not sit well with Thibodeau.
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