Looking for a spark, New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau decided to make another change to his lineup on Tuesday night. After playing 10 or 11 guys every night to start the NBA season, Thibodeau cut the rotation back to nine players against the Utah Jazz.
The results were positive, as the Knicks picked up their most impressive victory of the season, winning 118-111. That was a big victory as the trip to Salt Lake City was the first of a five-game road trip that continues on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets.
New York got off on the right foot, but the lineup change has left some players on the outside looking in on the rotation. One of the players that don’t look to be part of the plans for the foreseeable future is veteran Evan Fournier.
Fournier has drawn the ire of the fan base for a while despite breaking the franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season, his first in the Big Apple. He got off to a rough start this season, starting the first seven games before being removed from the starting five. Fournier came off the bench for six games but saw his playing time cut drastically.
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Tuesday, before the matchup against the Jazz, Fournier was informed that he would not be part of the rotation. It was something that he admitted was not easy, but he understands where Thibodeau is coming from.
“How hard is it? It’s not easy. I’ll tell you that,” Fournier said after the Knicks’ victory Tuesday night. “I mean, you know I always try to put myself in other people’s shoes. Thibs is trying to find a solution,” Fournier said. “I don’t think he made that decision because he [doesn’t] like me or anything like it’s a personal thing. He just wants to win, man. He does whatever he thinks is best. I can argue whether that’s good or not, sure.”
Fournier was joined by Quentin Grimes on the bench, who is also not currently in the rotation. However, his absence can likely be drawn to the sore foot that he has been dealing with. The Knicks could certainly use some of the defensive presence that Grimes brings to the table, which is something Fournier lacks.
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New York has been outscored by 8.3 points per 100 possessions with Fournier on the court this season. With his offensive struggles mounting and no longer making up for his ineffectiveness defensively, something had to be done.
Last season, it was point guard Kemba Walker that found himself in a similar situation. Just like Walker, Fournier is a consummate professional and he will do everything he can to remain ready should his number get called.
“I mean, I’ve got to keep that mindset [this can change] for sure,” Fournier said. “If I’m thinking about staying on the bench for the rest of the season it’s going to be awful. Mindset is always the same: Do your work every day and live [with] the result.”
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For now, it will be Cam Reddish continuing to start in Fournier’s spot. He has played well this season, taking full advantage of the opportunity that was presented to him with Grimes’ injury, eventually forcing his way into the starting five with his performance. His two-way ability is something the Knicks needed more of as he is a perfect fit alongside Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett on the perimeter.
