Author of a first half-hearted campaign in New York, Evan Fournier will be expected at the turn when the 2022-23 season starts in a few days. Asked at a press conference, the Frenchman also made an interesting revelation about the strategy of his franchise for the coming weeks.
If the Knicks had so many problems last year, missing the playoffs when they finished in the Top 4 in the East in 2020-21, it is also because the offseason recruits did not have not brought as much as expected. We think in particular of Evan Fournier, certainly author of a few flashes after his arrival from Boston, but who finished with 14 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists on average. A bit light for a highly paid player (78 million over four years).
Unsurprisingly, fans resented him a bit for that, with some outright demanding that he now be taken off the bench in favor of Quentin Grimes. Except that with recent events, it seems unlikely and the French international has also confirmed it himself, at a press conference. He explained that he had not yet played with newcomer Isaiah Hartenstein, because the latter was not part of the starting group:
Evan Fournier confirmed as Knicks starter
“Not at all no. He was with the second unit most of the time, and no, we’ve been playing with Mitch”
— Evan Fournier on whether he’s played with new Knick big Isaiah Hartenstein in camp pic.twitter.com/vejws7AdJm
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 4, 2022
No, I haven’t played with him at all. Most of the time, he played with the second unit, while in the holders, we played with Mitchell Robinson.
In other words, we are now set on two key positions in Gotham. It is More Champagne who will start at the back, while Robinson will be the pivot who will start the meetings. Tom Thibodeau therefore maintains the course he announced a few days ago, convinced that playing Frenchy in the five majors would be the best solution for New York to win. An opinion shared by several Internet users:
Evan was clearly our third best player last season…I don’t see a problem with him starting till someone shows they earned the spot
— Jarrett Spence 📸🎙 (@jiggysnapshot) October 4, 2022
Evan was clearly our third-best player last season…I don’t see a problem with him starting until someone shows he’s earned the spot.
Fournier broke the single season knicks record for most 3s made. He was also leading the teams in steals. I don’t think it’s a huge deal if he starts. It all depends on the minutes distribution w grimes and (hopefully) cam
— Evan Wolf (@NaveFlow) October 4, 2022
Fournier broke the Knicks’ single-season record for three-point shots converted. He also led his team in interceptions. I don’t think it’s a big deal if he starts games. It all depends on the distribution of minutes with Grimes and (hopefully) Cam Reddish
Evan Fournier killed two birds with one stone at a press conference, confirming his tenure at the same time as that of Mitchell Robinson. The choices of the coaching staff are not yet unanimous for the moment, but a good start to the season could change that.