Oct 7, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) drives past New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
3 Knicks players that need to have strong showings to close out preseason
Jericho Sims, New York Knicks. (Photo by Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)
2: Jericho Sims
Like Miles McBride, six-foot-nine Jericho Sims is going to likely end up getting buried in the Knicks’ rotation this season. New York converted his two-way contract to a standard deal during the offseason, but the team also signed free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein. With Mitchell Robinson staying in New York, Sims won’t be seeing a lot of playing time barring a sudden change.
Sims missed the Knicks’ first preseason game with a sore groin, but on Friday, he made his first appearance of the 2022-23 season and finished with six rebounds and four points in 13 minutes.
The 23-year-old spends a chunk of his time on the court above the rim. Obi Toppin’s dunks stole the show a few nights ago, but don’t forget about Sims’ vertical.
Sims being at the bottom of the team’s rotation speaks volumes about New York’s depth, especially the team’s depth at center. Robinson played in a career-high 72 games last season but has battled injuries in the past. The Knicks made the right decision to convert Sims’ two-way, although he isn’t going to see the court as much as he should.
Before the regular season begins next week, let’s see what Sims can do in the final two preseason contests where he’s guaranteed to get minutes.
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to a standard deal</a> during the offseason, but the team also signed free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein. With Mitchell Robinson staying in New York, Sims won’t be seeing a lot of playing time barring a sudden change.</p>
<p>Sims missed the Knicks’ first preseason game with a sore groin, but on Friday, he made his first appearance of the 2022-23 season and finished with six rebounds and four points in 13 minutes.</p>
<p>The 23-year-old spends a chunk of his time on the court above the rim. Obi Toppin’s dunks stole the show a few nights ago, but don’t forget about Sims’ vertical.</p>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr">🐰 <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://t.co/ezRqJMAXjl">pic.twitter.com/ezRqJMAXjl
<p>— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://twitter.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1579558030915825664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Sims being at the bottom of the team’s rotation speaks volumes about <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/06/knicks-depth-major-threat-eastern-conference/">New York’s depth</a>, especially the team’s depth at center. Robinson played in a career-high 72 games last season but has battled injuries in the past. The Knicks made the right decision to convert Sims’ two-way, although he isn’t going to see the court as much as he should.</p>
<p>Before the regular season begins next week, let’s see what Sims can do in the final two preseason contests where he’s guaranteed to get minutes.</p>
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an ankle sprain</a>, many thought his chance to crack Thibodeau’s rotation had disappeared. However, after it was reported that Reddish was available to play against the Pacers, Thibs opted to start the 23-year-old with Evan Fournier being out.</p>
<p>Nine months ago, the Knicks traded a first-round pick and Kevin Knox to Atlanta for Reddish, but fans were left confused about the deal after Thibodeau left Reddish on the bench. After playing in 15 games, his season ended a month early after he suffered <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://www.nba.com/news/knicks-cam-reddish-out-for-season-with-shoulder-injury" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a shoulder injury</a>.</p>
<p>Reddish’s bad luck followed him into the first preseason game, but he was able to overcome that to receive a prime opportunity on Friday night. He didn’t exactly prove himself, though. Reddish finished with two points (1-of-7 from the field), two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. His highlight of the night was a reverse layup that was a result of a tipped pass.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Loving EVERYTHING about this.</p>
<p>⚡️ <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://twitter.com/camreddish?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@camreddish ⚡️ <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://t.co/WGnOTeHovz">pic.twitter.com/WGnOTeHovz
<p>— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/10/12/3-knicks-players-strong-showings-close-preseason/2/"https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1578553292271095810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>His length allows for him to be a good defender, but he gets lost on the offensive end. If Reddish is utilized properly this season, he could end up playing a big role for New York.</p>
<p>With Cam Reddish set to be a restricted free agent during the offseason, he’s out to prove himself in 2022-23. The final two preseason games will be important for him as he looks to carve out what will hopefully be a consistent spot in the rotation.</p>
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