Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau competed in the season opener against the Pacers with no intention of playing at any point, Frank Ntilikina or Dennis Smith Jr.
The two 2017 lottery teams did not get their novelty contract extensions by Monday’s deadline and in no way did Thibodeau’s 10-man rotation do either.
Even after safety goalkeeper Immanuel Quickley fell at the end of the second quarter with a hip pointer, the Knicks coach tried to dispense with them.
During the third quarter, when starting point Elfrid Payton picked up his third foul, Thibodeau tried a backcourt from Alec Burks and RJ Barrett instead of turning to Ntilikina or Smith.
This slowed the crime down to a cat and was another indicator of how the Frenchman and former North Carolina state guard need to earn Thibodeau’s trust.
When asked why he was left without a guard, Thibodeau said: “Alec, in the past, has played the point, he has had a great first half. We wanted to keep throwing to the ground as much as we could to try to create the opportunities we were looking for. It’s something we obviously wanted to take a look at. I think the more we do it the better it will get. “
It didn’t work out as the Pacers extended their lead to 88-82 after three quarters. Desperate, Thibodeau headed to Ntilikina to start the quarter and the 22-year-old didn’t take advantage as the Pacers fled with him.
Ntilikina played five minutes, failed miserably in his two shooting attempts and was a minus-5.
Before the contest, Ntilikina was not sure if she had broken the ten-man rotation. He had missed the last two preseason games with Achilles pain.
“It will be the coach’s decision,” Ntilikina said after the morning shootout. “As players we just have to be prepared to jump on the court when they call us. The options we have, we have many talented guards. This means many options for the coach.
“We will be a talented team. Right now, this question is more for the coach to figure out what to do. My job is to be prepared for all the matches. “
Monday’s deadline passed without 22-year-old Ntilikina getting an extension of the rookie contract, which was expected. Ntilikina said he never had any discussions about it and that, as previously reported, he will become a restricted free agent in 2021.
Therefore, its future remains murky and a trade term agreement will have to be considered if it is not directly in the rotation. Of course, the Knicks could also add it to a package for a star.
Kevin Knox’s season began slowly. He scored four points in 18 minutes and missed his first three shots.
Thibodeau went with an initial drive from Payton, Reggie Bullock, Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. … The Knicks came out on fire from the 3-point line and finished 12 of 28 (42 percent). Barrett was down 3 for 3 after fighting all last season and in preseason from the depths.