With the Knicks sitting at 22-18 through the first 40 games, it’s time to look at how the players have been performing. It’s been a roller coaster of a season thus far, but with how well the Knicks have been looking as of late, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
In order to simplify things, we will be grading the main nine players in New York’s rotation. These guys have seen the floor the most and are really the only ones that are worth grading. These grades will be based on how they are performing this season relative to their expectations and how they have played since the last time we graded the team.
Some players have disappointed but for the most part, it’s hard to complain about the way the team has been performing recently. Things could be better but with how bleak things looked earlier in the season, we’re very glad the Knicks have begun to pick things up.
Grading key Knicks players through the first 40 games of 2022-23
Jalen Brunson: A
Previous grade: A
It’s funny to think that people once called Jalen Brunson’s contract an overpay because through 40 games, Brunson has looked phenomenal. Who knows whether or not he’ll make it but it certainly seems as if Brunson should be in consideration to make his first All-Star appearance.
In 37 games, Brunson is averaging 20.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38% from behind the arc. This has been the major difference for Brunson as at the time we did our last grade for him, he was hitting just 29.7% of his threes, so it’s great to see such a drastic improvement from the 26-year-old.
The Knicks have been without a PG of his caliber for decades now and it feels amazing to have someone this talented orchestrating the offense. As good as his scoring has been, Brunson’s playmaking has been the best part of his game this year.
Brunson’s 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 13th among all PGs in the NBA. That isn’t the be all end all stat for playmaking, but it’s nice to see how high Brunson ranks in that category. In just half a season with the Knicks, he has set new career highs in both points and assists.
This new, ball-dominant playstyle for Brunson has not only benefited him but has benefitted the Knicks as well. At this rate, the contract he was given may look like a steal by the end of the season. The Knicks have been dying for a player like this for a very long time, and it’s about time that they found said player in Brunson.
Quentin Grimes: A
Previous Grade: N/A
While it may seem crazy for Quentin Grimes to have the same grade as Brunson, this is due to the expectations surrounding the former 25th overall pick. Not only has Grimes been a starter for 23 of the 28 games he’s appeared in, but he has been fantastic in said games.
On the season, Grimes is averaging 10.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, shooting 46.7% from the field and 37.6% from three on 5.1 attempts. While this is already some very solid efficiency, it’s worth noting that Grimes was in a bit of a slump once he returned from injury, so that’s why his efficiency looks slightly worse than it should be.
Grimes has been a tremendous two-way threat for the Knicks, which is something the team needed after a season of Evan Fournier starting at the position. Grimes is easily the best 3-and-D player on the Knicks and is a near-perfect example of the archetype.
Not only is Grimes a sniper from behind the arc, but he also finishes at an incredible rate when attacking the rim, shooting 74.1% from 0-3 feet. He doesn’t have the ball in his hands often, but when he gets it he’s ridiculously efficient.
Grimes’ offensive abilities make it insanely difficult for teams to guard him. You can’t press him too hard because he can go right past you and either finish at the rim or kick out a sweet pass, or if you sag off of him, he’ll drain the three.
This is just Grimes’ second season in the NBA and he has so much room to grow as an all-around player. The Knicks got an absolute gem in the late first round, just another amazing move by Leon Rose and Co.
grading the main nine players in New York’s rotation. These guys have seen the floor the most and are really the only ones that are worth grading. These grades will be based on how they are performing this season relative to their expectations and how they have played since the last time we graded the team.</p>
<p>Some players have disappointed but for the most part, it’s hard to complain about the way the team has been performing recently. Things could be better but with how bleak things looked earlier in the season, we’re very glad the Knicks have begun to pick things up.</p>
<h2>Grading key Knicks players through the first 40 games of 2022-23</h2>
<h3>Jalen Brunson: A</h3>
<p><strong>Previous grade: A</strong></p>
<p>It’s funny to think that people once called Jalen Brunson’s contract an overpay because through 40 games, Brunson <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/05/jalen-brunson-masterclass-nearly-ruined-major-knicks-weakness/">has looked phenomenal</a>. Who knows whether or not he’ll make it but it certainly seems as if Brunson should be in consideration to make his first All-Star appearance.</p>
<p>In 37 games, Brunson is averaging 20.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 38% from behind the arc. This has been the major difference for Brunson as at the time we did our last grade for him, he was hitting just 29.7% of his threes, so it’s great to see such a drastic improvement from the 26-year-old.</p>
<p>The Knicks have been without a PG of his caliber for decades now and it feels amazing to have someone this talented orchestrating the offense. As good as his scoring has been, Brunson’s playmaking has been the best part of his game this year.</p>
<p>Brunson’s 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 13th among all PGs in the NBA. That isn’t the be all end all stat for playmaking, but it’s nice to see how high Brunson ranks in that category. In just half a season with the Knicks, he has set new career highs in both points and assists.</p>
<p>This new, ball-dominant playstyle for Brunson has not only benefited him but has benefitted the Knicks as well. At this rate, the contract he was given may look like a steal by the end of the season. The Knicks have been dying for a player like this for a very long time, and it’s about time that they found said player in Brunson.</p>
<h3>Quentin Grimes: A</h3>
<p><strong>Previous Grade: N/A</strong></p>
<p>While it may seem crazy for Quentin Grimes to have the same grade as Brunson, this is due to the expectations surrounding the former 25th overall pick. Not only has Grimes been a starter for 23 of the 28 games he’s appeared in, but he has been fantastic in said games.</p>
<p>On the season, Grimes is averaging 10.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, shooting 46.7% from the field and 37.6% from three on 5.1 attempts. While this is already some very solid efficiency, it’s worth noting that Grimes was in a bit of a slump once he returned from injury, so that’s why his efficiency looks slightly worse than it should be.</p>
<p>Grimes has been a tremendous <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"https://nypost.com/2023/01/07/quentin-grimes-emerging-as-knicks-best-defender-regardless-of-size/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two-way threat</a> for the Knicks, which is something the team needed after a season of Evan Fournier starting at the position. Grimes is easily the best 3-and-D player on the Knicks and is a near-perfect example of the archetype.</p>
<p>Not only is Grimes a sniper from behind the arc, but he also finishes at an incredible rate when attacking the rim, shooting 74.1% from 0-3 feet. He doesn’t have the ball in his hands often, but when he gets it he’s ridiculously efficient.</p>
<p>Grimes’ offensive abilities make it insanely difficult for teams to guard him. You can’t press him too hard because he can go right past you and either finish at the rim or kick out a sweet pass, or if you sag off of him, he’ll drain the three.</p>
<p>This is just Grimes’ second season in the NBA and he has so much room to grow as an all-around player. The Knicks got an absolute gem in the late first round, just another amazing move by Leon Rose and Co.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The two staples over the last few seasons </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-137875" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2207,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1451549950.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2207" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1451549950.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1451549950-768x530.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>RJ Barrett: B+</h3>
<p><strong>Previous Grade: C</strong></p>
<p>It’s pretty impressive how much better RJ Barrett has looked since we previously graded him. While his season total box score stats may not be anything crazy, his last stretch of games before getting injured were nothing short of fantastic.</p>
<p>In Barrett’s last 17 games, he is averaging 22.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and 41.3% from three on 5.4 attempts per game. Ever since recovering from his illness, Barrett has been playing at a near All-Star level and fans have been loving it.</p>
<p>The Knicks have needed Barrett to step up big time this year in order to help propel them back into the playoffs and outside of that five-game stretch where Barrett was sick, he has. Don’t get me wrong, Barrett hasn’t been perfect, hence his B+ grade, but at this point, it’s safe to say he’s been playing very well.</p>
<p>Hopefully, once Barrett returns from his <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/06/knicks-rj-barrett-reveals-key-information-finger-laceration-injury-doncic/">finger injury</a> he won’t have a cold stretch and will be right back into form because he was a huge reason for the Knicks’ success before getting injured.</p>
<h3>Julius Randle: A+</h3>
<p><strong>Previous Grade: B</strong></p>
<p>What a turnaround this season has been for <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/05/knicks-fans-ashamed-current-2023-nba-all-star-votes-rose-randle-brunson/">Julius Randle</a>, who had a very rough 2021-22 season that left many fans hoping for a trade. With the way Randle has played recently, it seems like he may be here for a while unless things turn back around.</p>
<p>In 40 games, Randle is averaging 24.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 46.2% from the field and 35.0% from behind the arc on 7.7 attempts. You can make a genuine argument that this current season from Randle is better than his All-NBA year in 2020-21, especially with his play as of late.</p>
<p>Randle has been playing the best basketball of his career recently, putting the Knicks on his back offensively while also playing some rather solid defense. This turnaround out of Randle is exactly what New York needed this season to make the playoffs.</p>
<p>A big part of Randle’s resurgence has to do with Brunson as not only does Brunson’s playmaking abilities open the floor up more for Randle, but there is also a ton of pressure taken off of him to carry the offense.</p>
<p>Whenever Randle isn’t hitting, he can rely on Brunson and vice versa. And then when you add in Barrett? That is a recipe for an elite offensive trio that can push this Knicks squad back into the playoffs and hopefully give some big-time teams some trouble.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The top two big men of the Knicks </a>
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<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/imagn-images/2018/08/19724808.jpeg">
Isaiah Hartenstein</a> has looked incredibly bad in his recent performances, making many fans hope for Jericho Sims to replace him in the rotation.</p>
<p>In Hartenstein’s last 14 games, he averaged 3.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while shooting a horrific 38% from the field. While he may not be utilized the best on offense, that is no excuse for how poor he is shooting, especially considering that 67% of his shots come from 0-10 feet.</p>
<p>Alongside this, Hartenstein has also looked pretty bad defensively, but a good bit of that has to do with how switch-heavy Tom Thibodeau’s defense is, hence why Sims may be the better fit. This has just been an all-around bad stretch for Hartenstein whether we’re talking about offense, defense, or even rebounding.</p>
<p>Hopefully, Hartenstein can begin to turn things around as the season goes on, or else there is a very good chance he will be pulled from the rotation and perhaps eventually traded.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> These two young guns have been hooping this season </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-137873" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1385865167.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1385865167.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1385865167-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Immanuel Quickley, Miles McBride, New York Knicks. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Immanuel Quickley: B+</h3>
<p><strong>Previous Grade: C- </strong></p>
<p>Compared to how he was playing earlier in the season, Immanuel Quickley has really turned things around. While he has played some excellent defense all season, his offense struggled out of the gate. However, his recent play has done nothing but suggest that he could be a key piece of this team’s future.</p>
<p>In his last 10 games, Quickley averaged 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.8% from three on 7.4 attempts. Obviously, this isn’t the longest stretch of games, but it’s still impressive.</p>
<p>Quickley has been a spark for both the starting lineup and bench this season and has accepted any role he has been given. His newfound defensive prowess has made him more valuable on the floor than ever. Whenever Quickley is having an off night on offense, he can now make up for it by playing some rather stellar defense.</p>
<p>This season in general has just been great for Quickley as he has set new career highs in nearly every statistical category. Hopefully, he can continue his high level of play once the Knicks get a healthy Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett back.</p>
<h3>Miles McBride: C-</h3>
<p><strong>Previous Grade: N/A</strong></p>
<p>This has been a rather interesting season for Miles McBride. His defense has been nothing short of great, but offensively, sheesh. Let’s just say that if McBride doesn’t improve on that end soon he could be getting replaced in the rotation.</p>
<p>I’d love to give McBride more time as I think he has the potential to be one of the better defensive guards in the NBA, but his offense has been so putrid this season that it’s hard to justify not trading for a more consistent veteran to take his spot in the rotation. If that were to happen McBride would most likely be sent to the G-League for a bit to develop his offense.</p>
<p>In 28 games, McBride is averaging 4.0 points, 1.2 assists, and 0.8 rebounds while shooting 36.0% from the field and 27.8% from three on 2.6 attempts. While he’s looked slightly better offensively in recent games, it still isn’t good enough to warrant a higher grade.</p>
<p>What makes things worse about McBride’s struggles is that he’s taking very smart shots, but they just refuse to go in. It’s one thing if he struggles with shot selection like most young players, but he honestly plays like a veteran that knows his role, but he just needs his shots to fall.</p>
<p>If McBride was even an average offensive player his grade would be much higher, but it’s hard to give him a higher grade considering how one-sided his game is. I still have hope for McBride, but with how many solid 3-and-D veterans that could be available at the deadline, he could very well be replaced.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2023/01/08/grading-key-knicks-players-first-half-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Two young big men who have been very solid this year </a>
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