Quentin Grimes’ Play Defines Winning Basketball
The chemistry, the rhythm with which the Knicks are playing is epitomized by Quentin Grimes. Play within yourself, take what is being given and take away your opponents’ first option. On offense, the team has gelled around Jalen Brunson. The relaxation Brunson’s calm, savvy leadership provides allows teammates to relax, play within themselves and have confidence in one another. Jalen has enlarged the scope of each player’s game by giving them the confidence that they need not ‘go it alone’ to make good things happen. ISO ball, tunnel vision and the compulsion to score x number of points have been replaced by ‘we’ll get enough to win.’
Quentin Grimes came to the Knicks with this wider view. In addition to being a scorer at Houston, ‘Q’ was a very tough defender. Unspectacular, Grimes came to the Knicks as the total package. On offense, he is a low usage, solid production guy. His forays to the hoop are quick and decisive. The hop in his J should make him a lethal ‘stop on a dime’ off the dribble jump shooter.
But Quentin Grimes greatest value to the Knicks is his work on the defensive end. During the team’s five game losing streak, Barrett and Randle put together 60 & 73 point games, both losses. The defense that had keyed the eight game winning streak disappeared in the Jules and RJ barrage. Quentin missed the previous Raptor game, a loss, to Pascal Siakam’s 52 point masterpiece. Seven games later, the Knicks limit Siakam to 18 points, nine from the stripe, on 4 of 14 shooting. Early on ‘Q’ guarded Scottie Barnes, Toronto’s ubiquitous 6’9” second year man, then he switched on to Pascal. Grimes was quick enough and strong enough to impede Siakam’s drives into the paint, thus nullifying Pascal’s biggest offensive advantage. At 6’9” Siakam uses his 7’3” wingspan to do most of his damage in the paint. Quentin Grimes skills are not any better than other Knick starters. However, his approach to winning, team work, and his commitment to defense make him the very definition of a winner.
The Toronto Raptors are a flawed team. Pascal Siakam’s ball dominance is one of them. But they have talented players and this was a good win for New York. Every Raptor run was turned back. Though the game was tightly contested, it felt like it would be a Knick win, even when the Raptors went ahead. The chemistry that is providing the players with the confidence of winners is contagious.
When the team plays with an unselfish, unified purpose on both ends of the floor, it is basketball at it’s best. Each player plays to his individual strengths while ‘feeling’ a part of what the other four players are doing. This flow among the players is team chemistry. This is the essential Quentin Grimes. If the Knicks can maintain this awareness, they should be able to win 70% of their remaining games and take 6th place in the East.
Box score: htpps://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401468737