The New York Knicks’ Best Players Through First 20 Games
By James Ryder
New York Knicks’ Honorable Mention: Evan Fournier
If he could’ve mustered a couple of more good showings through his first 20 games as a New York Knick, then Fournier would be squarely in the mix with the other names on this list.
However, Fournier is merely an honorable mention due to the lack of impact he’s had in many games. But that isn’t to say Fournier has been an outright disappointment.
The Frenchman’s averages of 13 PPG on 41.1 FG% and 39.5% 3PT% are mostly underwhelming, but they are somewhat respectable when you consider just how little he has done over the course of some games.
Part of why the numbers aren’t so hard to look at is because when Fournier has been good he’s been fantastic.
We all know about the incredible shooting that took place on opening night versus the Boston Celtics.
The six three-pointers and 32 points he dropped have been closely replicated in other games.
He’s scored 20 and 26 in two of his last three games, he’s totaled 15 or more points in eight games this year, and eight times he has finished shooting 43% or higher from three on six attempts or more.
In fact, as head of Knicks Film School Jonathan Macri pointed out, Fournier has seven games where he has scored 18+ points and the Knicks are 7-0 when he does so.
They are just 4-9 when he doesn’t.
Clearly, Fournier has been a huge part of the Knicks’ successes during the first quarter of the regular season.
But, he has been frustrating enough at times that he can’t quite be celebrated as the players named before him can and should be.
Hopefully, he can continue to nudge towards living up to his status as a big-name free agency acquisition and justify that $78 million contract.