The time is finally upon us. Training camp starts on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and we finally will get a first look at this season’s team. The 2022-23 New York Knicks look very similar, retaining most of the players from 2021-22. Key additions include Isaiah Hartenstein and Jalen Brunson, while Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, and Kemba Walker were traded to the Detroit Pistons.
Expectations this season are low, with the perception being that this team will be in the play-in tournament at best. Many fans would agree with that opinion, given that a majority of the playoff teams in the Eastern Conference have improved. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t hopeful for better, and training camp offers us the opportunity to get a better sense of what this team is capable of.
There are several question marks going into the season. It’s an uncertainty that has some fans feeling apprehensive about the season and the direction that the team is going in. Training camp will hopefully answer some of these questions and put fans more at ease. Let’s discuss four things Knicks fans hope to learn from training camp.
4 questions Knicks fans want to be answered at training camp
1. How does Jalen Brunson gel with his new teammates?
On June 30, the first day of free agency, news broke that Jalen Brunson was signing a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks after spending the first four years of his career with the Dallas Mavericks. The news was met with a mixed response from Knicks fans, some (including myself) were worried that they had overpaid the 26-year-old out of Villanova.
Regardless of the reception, the addition was sorely needed, as the Knicks finally end their decade-long point guard search. Brunson, who is the son of assistant coach Rick Brunson, was taken with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 draft and has improved every season. He had his breakout season last year, posting career-high marks in several statistics including points per game, and he helped the Mavericks reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2011.
Training camp is where we’ll see Brunson interacting with his Knicks teammates on the court for the first time, and we’ll see what he can bring out of his teammates. Brunson has exceptional skills when it comes to scoring and playmaking, which are sure to help a Knicks team that was dead last in assists per game last year.
Brunson is expected to be given the keys to New York’s offense, which will certainly have some affect on the play of fellow stars RJ Barrett and Julius Randle. Whether Brunson’s play will negatively or positively affect their play remains to be seen. However, all indications point to it affecting them positively, as Brunson played alongside Luka Doncic, which means he’s used to being productive even when he isn’t dominating the ball.
Brunson’s abilities will also take some playmaking pressure off Randle, who at times tried too hard to get players involved, resulting in unforced turnovers. One thing is for sure, Brunson is the best point guard the Knicks have had in quite some time, and that alone is a positive going forward.
play-in tournament at best</a>. Many fans would agree with that opinion, given that a majority of the playoff teams in the Eastern Conference have improved. That doesn’t mean that we aren’t hopeful for better, and training camp offers us the opportunity to get a better sense of what this team is capable of.</p>
<p>There are several question marks going into the season. It’s an uncertainty that has some fans feeling apprehensive about the season and the direction that the team<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/11/knicks-prioritize-youth-movement-rebuild-2022-23/"> is going in</a>. Training camp will hopefully answer some of these questions and put fans more at ease. Let’s discuss four things Knicks fans hope to learn from training camp.</p>
<h2>4 questions Knicks fans want to be answered at training camp</h2>
<h3>1. How does Jalen Brunson gel with his new teammates?</h3>
<p>On June 30, the first day of free agency, news broke that Jalen Brunson was signing a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks after spending the first four years of his career with the Dallas Mavericks. The news was met with <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/08/12/bleacher-report-grade-knicks-jalen-brunson-signing-inaccurate/">a mixed response</a> from Knicks fans, some (including myself) were worried that they had overpaid the 26-year-old out of Villanova.</p>
<p>Regardless of the reception, the addition was sorely needed, as the Knicks finally end their decade-long <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/23/jalen-brunson-signifies-knicks-stopgap-point-guard-era/">point guard search</a>. Brunson, who is the son of assistant coach Rick Brunson, was taken with the 33rd overall pick in the 2018 draft and has improved every season. He had his breakout season last year, posting career-high marks in several statistics including points per game, and he helped the Mavericks reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2011.</p>
<p>Training camp is where we’ll see Brunson interacting with his Knicks teammates on the court for the first time, and we’ll see what he can bring out of his teammates. Brunson has exceptional skills when it comes to scoring and playmaking, which are sure to help a Knicks team that was dead last in assists per game last year.</p>
<p>Brunson is expected to be given the keys to New York’s offense, which will certainly have some affect on the play of fellow stars RJ Barrett and Julius Randle. Whether Brunson’s play will negatively or positively affect their play remains to be seen. However, all indications point to it affecting them positively, as Brunson played alongside Luka Doncic, which means he’s used to being productive even when he isn’t dominating the ball.</p>
<p>Brunson’s abilities will also take some playmaking pressure off Randle, who at times tried too hard to get players involved, resulting in unforced turnovers. One thing is for sure, Brunson is the best point guard the Knicks have had in quite some time, and that alone is a positive going forward.</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/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Tom Thibodeau's approach to the rotation </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-129047 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2400,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2022%2F06%2F1389358597.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Tom Thibodeau" width="3200" height="2400" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1389358597.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/06/1389358597-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2. What is Tom Thibodeau’s approach to the rotation?</h3>
<p>We may not get a clear answer to this until the season officially starts, but this question is sure to come up when Tom Thibodeau is available to the media. After shedding some of the veterans from last season’s roster, the Knicks now boast a collection of young players that all need playing time to further their development.</p>
<p>Thibodeau’s job this season <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/12/tom-thibodeau-walking-thin-ice-knicks-2022-23/">won’t be an easy one</a>, but it’s way too early to say he’s on the hot seat. He needs to find a way to play the young guys on the team like Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, Cam Reddish, and Immanuel Quickley, while also putting a lineup on the floor that can win. There’s no indication from Leon Rose that Thibodeau’s job is in danger in any way, but fans may not be as lenient.</p>
<p>We have seen Toppin, given starter-type minutes, look like the player he was at Dayton where he was the National Player of the Year in 2020. Quickley has outplayed the Knicks starting guards not named Derrick Rose on numerous occasions. Grimes was named to the 2022 Las Vegas Summer League First Team after he averaged 22.6 points per game. I don’t even have to get into how eager fans are to see what Cam Reddish is made of.</p>
<p>Thibodeau has an obligation as coach to help foster the development of our young players. If that means Evan Fournier comes off the bench, so be it. If that means Randle sees fewer minutes, that’s great, too. Ultimately, Thibodeau’s job rests more so on the development of players, rather than where New York ends up at the end of the season. Although, player development has never proven to be Thibodeau’s forte.</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/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Will Derrick Rose bounce back? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133565 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1369884976.jpeg" alt="Derrick Rose, New York Knicks" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1369884976.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1369884976-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Derrick Rose, New York Knicks. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>3. Will Derrick Rose have a bounce-back season?</h3>
<p>Derrick Rose has become a fan favorite for the Knicks over the past two seasons, so it devastated many fans when he went down in December with a <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/derrick-rose-injury-update-knicks-guard-out-at-least-eight-weeks-following-right-ankle-surgery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">right ankle injury</a> that required not one, but two surgeries. The former MVP would not return in the 2021-22 season, missing 56 games.</p>
<p>The Knicks looked their best last season with Rose out on the floor. He may not be the player he once was, but he still brings a nice offensive boost off the bench. He also provides veteran leadership for the young guys on the roster, especially Quickley.</p>
<p>Given Rose’s extensive injury history, it really is amazing he’s still playing and contributing at a fairly high level. However, Rose will be 34 years old by the start of the season, which leads me to wonder what to expect from him this season.</p>
<p>Him and Thibodeau go all the way back to Rose’s MVP-caliber years in Chicago, so there’s no question that Rose will see the floor, as he should. Last season in 26 games played, Rose put up 12 points a game with three rebounds and four assists. A full season with those numbers would make Rose <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/09/3-reasons-derrick-rose-factor-knicks-2022-23/">an invaluable piece</a> to the bench.</p>
<p>In a video posted on the Knicks’ social media pages on Sept. 20, Rose said, “I haven’t felt this healthy in a long time. I’m back to my rookie weight.” It seems Rose is poised to have a great season and we’ll get our first look at how he moves in training camp.</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/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Who has taken that next step? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-125681 size-full" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"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%2F2022%2F04%2F1239592275.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Miles McBride" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/04/1239592275.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2022/04/1239592275-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Miles McBride, New York Knicks (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>4. Which of the young guys has taken the next step?</h3>
<p>The Knicks go into the 2022-23 season with one of the youngest teams in the NBA. The future of New York (for now) rests solely on the development of the young players. The expectations for this team aren’t too high, which is perfect for the young guys to play freely and prove themselves.</p>
<p>I think many fans would consider making the play-in tournament a success. It sounds pathetic, but let’s be realistic, the Eastern Conference is absolutely loaded this year with nearly every playoff team improving. Letting the young guys off the leash could give the Knicks new life, excite the fan base, and maybe even steal a few wins against the NBA’s elite.</p>
<p>Training camp will show us who’s been putting in the work during the offseason. They must know that they were almost shipped to Utah this summer. I’d like to see them use that as motivation. Everyone on this roster has something <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/21/1-area-improvement-key-knicks-player-2022-23/">they can improve on</a>, and there’s a lot of potential on this team. With there being a fight for playing time, I expect it to bring the best out of everyone.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The grind just never stops for Julius Randle 😤</p>
<p>(via <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://twitter.com/Cbrickley603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Cbrickley603 /IG) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://t.co/Jd4NEvr9r9">pic.twitter.com/Jd4NEvr9r9
<p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1573096998756306945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>September 22, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/09/27/4-things-knicks-fans-learn-2022-23-training-camp/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>It’s weird to see “Knicks” and “develop young players” put together in a sentence. I mean, RJ Barrett was the first Knicks draft pick to be signed to a rookie extension in my lifetime. It’s not how New York has done things in the past. This summer especially has shown that these are not the same old Knicks, and that’s exactly what fans have been waiting for. We’ll hopefully find out all these things and more when training camp begins.</p>
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