NY Knicks: Three Bold Predictions for Next Season
By Max Hoover
NY Knicks: Neither Kemba Walker nor Derrick Rose will play more than 50 regular season games…on purpose.
Tom Thibodeau’s reputation precedes him. If a player contributes positively, he will use that player until his knees bust.
This is especially true of the point guard position. Thibodeau puts a ton of influence in the hands of his point guards on both ends of the floor, and for the first time in his coaching career, he might actually have two point guards he can trust.
I’m betting this newfound wealth of trust in point guards brings out a side of Thibs we’ve never seen before: a belief in load management.
Kemba Walker and Derrick Rose bring a lot to the table when fully healthy. Being fully healthy is a big if for both of those players though, and if I’m Thibs I want to ensure that both of those guys are fully healthy come playoff time.
To make that happen, he is going to have to find some time to rest each player during the season.
Prior to Summer League, the idea of resting Walker or Rose and having the other one be the starting point guard worried me a bit. After Summer League, though, I have more confidence in Quentin Grimes, Deuce McBride, and Immanuel Quickley.
Maybe we see Quickley running point and Grimes getting some backup wing minutes. Maybe we see McBride getting minutes at the backup point guard spot.
Either way, Thibs will lean into the load management movement with his two point guards and neither will play more than 50 regular-season games.