Quentin Grimes Is Frustrated With Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau: "If I Don't Hit The Shot, I'm Coming Out"

The New York Knicks faced a challenging night, losing in the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament to the Milwaukee Bucks. Adding to their woes, Quentin Grimes, a third-year guard, expressed frustration with his role in the team's offense, seemingly lashing out at Tom Thibodeau. Grimes, who had zero points on 0-for-1 shooting in the recent game, highlighted a trend of offensive struggles over his last five games, scoring a combined 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting.

Voicing his discontent, Grimes stated: 

“It feels like if I don’t hit the shot, I’m coming out. So every shot I shoot probably weighs like 100 pounds if I don’t make it, and our defense, it ain’t cutting it, so I know I ain’t going back in.”

“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."

"So it’s tough going out there and just standing in the corner the whole game. Then you got to make the shot when you shoot the ball one or two times per game. It is what it is. We’ll see.”

He emphasized the pressure associated with every shot and expressed concern about the team's defensive performance, indicating his uncertainty about returning to the game if he doesn't make a shot.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau, when questioned about potential changes in the lineup, attributed the loss to the entire team's performance, stressing the need for collective improvement. Grimes, averaging 5.8 points on 36 percent shooting this season, acknowledged the challenge of limited touches in the game and the expectation to make every shot when opportunities arise.

Grimes' frustrations echo those expressed by Josh Hart in late November, emphasizing the difficulty of getting into a rhythm with minimal touches. Notably, Hart's comments preceded a standout performance, indicating a potential correlation between player frustration and a subsequent positive impact on the court.

As the Knicks regroup after their In-Season Tournament elimination, Grimes hopes his public comments will lead to offensive adjustments regarding his role. With the team traveling to face the Boston Celtics next, the focus remains on improvement and finding ways to involve Grimes more effectively in the offense.

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The Knicks Offense Still Needs Improvement 

While Quentin Grimes voiced his frustration about his role in the Knicks' offense, the team's overall offensive performance continues to present challenges. Despite having a respectable offensive rating of 115.0, ranking 11th in the league, and a solid defensive rating of 110.8, placing them 7th, the Knicks are grappling with issues related to shot quality and efficiency.

The team's field goal percentage (FG%) is a cause for concern, as they currently rank 27th in the league with 44.8%. While their 3-point shooting percentage stands at 35.8%, ranking 8th, advanced statistics reveal a more nuanced picture of the Knicks' offensive struggles.

Notably, the Knicks rank 26th in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) with 52.2%. This statistic considers the added value of three-pointers, providing a more comprehensive measure of shooting efficiency. Additionally, their True Shooting Percentage (TS%) is also a cause for worry, as they rank 26th with 55.6%. TS% accounts for the accuracy of field goals, free throws, and three-pointers, offering a holistic view of a team's scoring efficiency.

These statistics suggest that the Knicks may be struggling to generate high-quality shot opportunities or that players are facing challenges in converting their attempts efficiently. To address these offensive woes, the team may need to explore trade options or consider implementing significant changes in their offensive strategy.

As the Knicks aim to bounce back from their recent defeat and with Quentin Grimes expressing concerns about his role, finding solutions to improve shot quality and efficiency will be crucial for the team's overall success in the competitive NBA landscape.