Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t sure if defender Derrick Rose would join the Knicks in Oklahoma City for Saturday’s game. If he does, it would be a great blessing.
Rose missed her third straight game due to COVID-19 protocols, though the Knicks will not say if she tested positive for the virus. The Knicks are 1-2 in their absence, both losses by explosions. The Knicks ’top game was lower than Thursday in the 134-101 loss to Milwaukee.
“I’m sure he misses her,” Julius Randle said. “His presence and what he brings to the team is huge for us. Whether it’s starting or getting off the bench, it makes us move forward by playing fast. Whatever it is, we miss his presence. It’s difficult, but other boys have to intervene and intensify. “
Elfrid Payton has been the starting guard in the last two games and only shot 4 of 14 against the Bucks. Rookie Immanuel Quickley is being used off the bench in a more important role.
As good as his debut season has been, Quickley is not a player and sometimes it hurts the club looking for his shot too soon. As he dribbled the final seconds of the first half, Quickley came down to two seconds when he realized he didn’t look good and passed it on to Alec Burks just as the buzzer sounded. Quickley shot 3 of 10.
“Sure, we miss Derrick, but right now we have to fight for what we get,” said Taj Gibson, a backup center who came back from an ankle sprain. “We have to keep the strong strong.
Since working as a Rockets assistant under the direction of GM Daryl Morey in 2004-07, Thibodeau has been curious about attending the analytical extravaganza at MIT, the Sloan Conference.
Thibodeau finally attended the Morey-inspired meeting last year, ironically on March 11, when the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Unemployed, Thibodeau planned to do Sloan and then visit coach Mike Budenholzer in Milwaukee. He never came to Brew City.
“I remember at the convention that everyone was worried because the news was spreading about whether we should even be there,” Thibodeau said Thursday. “Viously, obviously, what transpired later was a challenge for the whole world. We haven’t finished it yet. Therefore, we must continue to do our best and take all the precautions we can. Security must come first. “
While some have labeled Thibodeau an old man who doesn’t believe in analytics, the Knicks coach said this is a myth.
“I always try to catch up with what happened,” Thibodeau said. “I had the opportunity to work with Daryl Morey in Houston. I have always followed him very closely. Fortunately, if you’re training, you don’t have time to go there. But talk to the people who were there and good things came out of it. “
Gibson achieved a faster-than-expected return, playing 26 minutes, scoring seven after losing the previous three games.