Knicks Head Coach Thibodeau Makes Starting Lineup Declaration

Training camp was only minutes old when New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau already declared a front-runner out of his many options at the starting shooting guard spot. He says it will once again be Evan Fournier.

Tom Thibodeau says Evan Fournier is the frontrunner to start at shooting guard: pic.twitter.com/CHvJpxmM0h

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) September 27, 2022

"We need shooting... With Jalen, with RJ, with Julius, we need to have shooting around them... Evan's proven, the second half of last year, he played really well. So, I like our depth at that position."

Tibs was undoubtedly referring to Fournier's 3-point shooting in January (45.7%), February (40.4%) and March (38.3%). 

The 10-year veteran would get the nod over promising young players like Quentin Grimes (22 years old) and Immanuel Quickley (23). 

While Fournier certainly shot it well enough last season, he had a love-hate affair with Knicks fans, many of whom had issues with his defense (or lack of it). But whether the MSG faithful want to see Fournier in the starting lineup or not, he's ready for whatever they have to say about it. 

Wishing all my Knicks fans a season full of passion, love and trashtalk.
3 things you already have anyway 😂 🫶🏼

— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) September 27, 2022

Fournier averaged 14.1 points last season, starting 80 games for the Knicks, while shooting 38.9% from beyond the arc, figures that pretty well match up with his career marks. 

 

Photos: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports,Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports