Generating a Rhythm: Quentin Grimes
Taking a closer look at Quentin Grimes' move to the bench and what his improved play says about him and the Knicks.
Tom Thibodeau’s decision to move Quentin Grimes out of the starting lineup and to the bench has paid dividends to both his productivity and confidence. As a starter his offensive role was limited, confined to an almost strictly spot-up role where his confidence waned.
In Grimes’ own words: “It’s just hard when you go the whole quarter without touching the ball, the whole second quarter without touching the ball, and then you get one shot and you got to make it.”
Although it’s only been two games since he’s come off the bench, Grimes’ impact feels palpable for the first time this season. The shift has allowed him to spread his wings and flash a lot of the stuff he displayed last season.
While the most obvious reason for his improved play is that he’s more involved and getting more touches, it’s also how he’s getting his touches. He’s coming off movement, cutting to the rim, and getting clean looks in transition in a way that was nonexistent in his time as a starter.
Unlike his time as a starter this season, there’s been a conscious effort by the entire team to keep Grimes involved. Not only are his teammates looking for him but so is the coaching staff. The playbook has opened up for Grimes who has been the focal point of playcalls in a way that rarely, if ever, happened.
In his first offensive possession as a bench player this season, the Knicks immediately run their pin-in screen set for Grimes. The ball quickly swings around the perimeter as Josh Hart sets a pin-in screen that frees up Grimes for an easy corner three.
In this clip, Grimes slips a pindown for RJ Barrett before coming off a set of double pindowns. He misses the look but this generates both flow and rhythm for both Grimes and the Knick offense.
Grimes is being empowered through the playbook and the difference is tangible. Grimes attempted 11 shots last night against the Raptors which ties a season-high in attempts for him. He is shooting 10-of-21 from the field in his two games on the bench. He took 18 shots total in his last 5 games as a starter, converting on just four.
Grimes’ movement off the ball is also coming as a cutter and not solely coming off screens along the perimeter. Playing alongside more willing passers has seen him show more as a cutter which has helped him get better looks around the rim.
It also helps that he’s now playing in a unit that plays at a faster pace and is actively seeking out transition opportunities. Grimes is getting some of the easiest looks he’s had the entire season by running the floor out ahead or as the trailer in semi-transition.
Grimes is a limited playmaker but one that is capable of making basic reads. While his vision as a passer seldom deviates from hitting a roller or a simple dump-off pass near the rim, these kinds of plays do have value. In both clips below, Grimes comes off the screen with an empty corner which also helps simplify his reads. Getting these opportunities also helps him generate a rhythm.
He’s also back to attacking closeouts as he flashed last season and had been missing to start this year. His offensive game is clicking, which can help unlock new aspects of the Knick offense.
If Grimes does eventually find himself back in the starting lineup, it is paramount that he still gets time with the bench unit. Of the 431 total minutes Grimes has played so far this season, 347 of them have come with the starting lineup and with Josh Hart in place of RJ Barrett. That’s a staggering 80% of his minutes. He’s played just 53 minutes alongside Immanuel Quickley.
There’s something to be said at how stark of a difference Grimes has looked as a starter and reserve. As a starter, he was often invisible and looked like a shell of the player whose insertion into last season’s starting lineup helped propel the Knicks into the playoffs. As a reserve he’s been impactful, playing with a level of decisiveness and confidence that was sorely missing from his game.
It is evident that all parties involved (Grimes, Thibodeau, and teammates) have to do a better job of maintaining an offensive flow and rhythm if he is reinserted into the starting lineup in the future. Grimes has to be aggressive in his pockets of opportunity while his teammates and Thibodeau also have to continue to empower him to hunt for shots.
For the Knicks to be the best version of themselves, they’ll need Quentin Grimes to continue this level of aggression and engagement regardless of whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.