Notable Knicks Media Day moments from potential starting five

In 23 days, the New York Knicks will take the court at FedEx Forum to kick off the 2022-23 season against the Memphis Grizzlies. But first, on Monday, the Knicks came together for Media Day (otherwise known as Content Day). After an offseason that included adding a point guard, extending RJ Barrett, and neverending trade rumors, fans were able to hear directly from players for the first time since the end of 2021-22.

There’s been a lot of questions surrounding who will be the Knicks’ starting shooting guard. Evan Fournier started at the two last season, but the consensus seems to be that second-year guard Quentin Grimes should be slid into the starting lineup. Considering that Grimes was reportedly untouchable in trade talks, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn the spot. Until it’s known who will start, though, we’re going to assume that it’s going to be Fournier.

With that being said, let’s take a look at what New York’s potential starting five had to say during Media Day.

5 Media Day takeaways from Knicks’ potential starting five

5: Mitchell Robinson

First up is the 24-year-old big man who re-signed with the Knicks during free agency on a four-year, $60 million contract. After playing in a career-high 72 games for New York in 2021-22, Mitchell Robinson will continue to be the Knicks’ starting center.

There was speculation about Robinson leaving New York in free agency, but shortly after the Knicks signed Isaiah Hartenstein to a two-year deal, the front office made Mitch’s new contract official. And how did he react to the news that he’d be staying in New York?

Imagine seven-foot Mitchell Robinson at the beach, running through the sand towards the water to celebrate his new contract. What a moment of pure joy for the Knicks’ 2018 second-round draft pick.

Although his signing was made official a couple of months before RJ Barrett’s, technically Barrett’s the one who broke the Charlie Ward curse since he was a first-round draft pick in 2019. Nonetheless, New York retaining Mitchell was huge news. The ‘blockness monster’ is entering his fifth season with the Knicks, and if he can stay healthy, 2022-23 should be his best one yet. And it may include a three-pointer or two…

4: Julius Randle

Julius Randle is the most polarizing Knicks player, but with 2022-23 around the corner, the 27-year-old has put last season in the past and is moving forward with a clean slate. It’s nice to see Randle smiling again.

A couple of weeks ago, Randle gave fans a shoutout on Instagram, which was noteworthy considering his relationship with the fan base in 2021-22. After being asked about last season, Randle said that he “learned a lot.”

Yes, the season hasn’t started yet, but it seems like Randle’s back on the right track. You can see it in the way that he carried himself throughout Media Day — he isn’t the same Randle from last season. In a few weeks, he’ll get to prove himself on the court.

Oh, and Randle made sure to crack a joke about Tom Thibodeau, which is something that every fan should be able to appreciate.

Leave it up to Thibs to still be using email as his main form of communication. What a classic move by the 64-year-old coach. Knicks players better monitor their spam folder regularly because who knows, maybe an email from Thibodeau is hiding in there.

3: RJ Barrett

Fresh off a four-year, $120 million extension, RJ Barrett spoke to the media for the first time since New York made his new deal official. And yes, he talked about the trade rumors.

The 22-year-old also made a bold statement about the Knicks’ 2022-23 season, as well as talked about what he’s focused on this year.

As Barrett enters his fourth season, the belief is that he could earn his first All-Star honor. That’s a goal that he has entering the new year, and given what he worked on during the offseason, he could find himself in Salt Lake City come February.

Now that there aren’t concerns about Barrett becoming a restricted free agent next summer, New York can proceed as his team.

After RJ scored a career-high 46 points against the Miami Heat in February, Jimmy Butler said that he wasn’t surprised about Barrett’s performance. Butler went on to say that RJ’s going to be the face of the franchise for the Knicks, and his extension this summer helped to solidify that.

Big things are on the horizon for RJ Barrett.

2: Evan Fournier

As mentioned, there seems to be a chance that Evan Fournier could be coming off the bench for the Knicks with Quentin Grimes starting at the two. We know how Thibodeau loves his veterans, but he’s also fond of Grimes, and with Jalen Brunson being New York’s starting point guard, a Brunson-Fournier backcourt would be scary (not in a good way).

Fournier’s name has popped up in trade rumors during the offseason and depending on how 2022-23 goes, he could find himself on a new team before the end of the year.

But until that happens (if it does), Fournier will continue to be a source of shooting for the Knicks. At Media Day, Monica McNutt asked him what both he and New York playing their best basketball would look like, to which Fournier responded:

One thing about Fournier is that he’s always going to give thoughtful answers to questions. With a young team, he’s a good veteran to have around.

If what most of us think is going to happen ends up being true, Fournier would likely step into his off-the-bench role with the right attitude.

And if you’re interested in seeing some Grimes footage from Media Day, here you go. It won’t be too much longer until we’ll learn who will be New York’s starting shooting guard.

1: Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson made his Media Day debut with the Knicks after an offseason that included a huge payday, a move, and an engagement. After spending his first four years with the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson will be New York’s starting point guard.

The 26-year-old is glad to be past free agency, though. And he isn’t worried about the league’s ongoing investigation of the Knicks for potential tampering. Why? Because according to him, “there’s nothing really to investigate.” He’s not wrong.

In the end, Brunson chose to move to New York for various reasons.

He’ll get to play under his dad, who the Knicks hired as an assistant coach this summer. According to Derrick Rose, if Brunson can handle his dad, he’ll be able to handle Thibs.

In all honesty, after a busy offseason for Brunson, he appears to be ready to put his head down and get to work for his new team. On Oct. 21, he’ll make his debut as a Knick in Madison Square Garden. Considering what fans are used to seeing from New York at the one, Brunson will be a welcome change.

With Media Day in the past now, it’s time for training camp, and after that, preseason. After that, it’ll be onto the real thing. As RJ Barrett said, the Knicks are going to “shock the world.” Here we go.

RJ Barrett’s comment at Media Day will make Knicks fans want to run through wall

After signing a four-year, $120 million extension with the New York Knicks this summer, RJ Barrett has high expectations for the team in 2022-23.