New York reserved the opening day of training camp for the stars, but on Wednesday, we got to watch and hear from the freshest Knickerbockers. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele took to the podium and shared a few thoughts on how they arrived in Manhattan, what to expect from them, and everything else. Here are […]
New York reserved the opening day of training camp for the stars, but on Wednesday, we got to watch and hear from the freshest Knickerbockers.
Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele took to the podium and shared a few thoughts on how they arrived in Manhattan, what to expect from them, and everything else.
Here are the soundbites and quotes we fetched from Wednesday’s media session.
Mike Brown
On using the depth of the Knicks roster:
“Now it’s our job to figure out how to use this group. Knowing that you have guys that you can throw into the game at any time is exciting . . . To be able to have guys, especially veteran guys that have been there and done that at your disposal makes it a lot of fun for a coach. Now like I said it’s my job to spend time and it’s going to take some time finding the right combinations to put out there on any given time.”
On open competition for final roster spots:
“There’s no one ahead of anyone yet.”
On Jordan Clarkson’s mentality and skillset:
“He’s a professional scorer. He’s a capable passer. But I like the mindset that he has. You want guys that aren’t afraid of the moment, aren’t afraid to take the shot, aren’t afraid to go get it. Because the more guys that you have like that, that puts pressure and a little bit of fear on your opponent. Because when the ball touches his hands, and your opponent isn’t doing their job. That thing’s going up and it’s probably going to go in.”
On Guerschon Yabusele’s journey back to the NBA:
“When you get drafted and don’t make it, it can do a lot of things to you mentally. It can make you say things like, ‘Screw the NBA. I don’t want to come back,’ or it can make you say, ‘You know what? I’m an NBA player and I’m going to do what I need to do to get back and be there as long as I want to be there.’ Seeing that process tells you a lot about him as a person. That’s a vastly competitive spirit and competitive nature that I’m looking for when it comes to being a New York Knick. Going back overseas allowed him to work on his game, refine his tools and skill set. It just took him to another level. At his size, he knows he has to be versatile to thrive, and not just offensively, but defensively, too.”
On competition in camp regardless of contract type:
“Whether you’re here on a guaranteed deal, you’re here on a nonguaranteed deal, you’re competing your butt off. And at the end of the day, we have a lot of time to make a decision on what’s gonna happen, and we’ll figure out who we need to fit and who needs to fit, but it’s gonna be a process.”
Jalen Brunson
On pressure and expectations this season:
“There’s no championship or bust pressure. Obviously, the goal is to win a championship, but each season starts out new.”
Guerschon Yabusele
On why he wanted to join the Knicks:
“I like the team, the spirit that they had on the court. They play tough, every possession – they play together and you could tell they were bonding together. They had a goal together. They fight.”
On how he wants to contribute:
“Be a good teammate first, on and off the court. Bring all the energy possible. Play every day with joy and bring the fun out there – the rest is going to take care of itself.”
On expected growth during his first Knicks season:
“When I end the season, I know I’m going to learn a lot and be a different player than I was when I got here.”
On learning from his teammates:
“There might still be room (for me to grow). I’m coming in here every day just telling myself that I’m trying to learn something. These guys have the experience of being in the Eastern Conference finals, but, obviously, I’ve been in the NBA. I’m coming here trying to learn from those guys.”
Jordan Clarkson
On why he joined the Knicks:
“The team is really good. They’re playing for something.”
On a cryptic recruiting message from Josh Hart:
“I just sent him a ’00.’ He didn’t know what it meant, but I’m here.”
On fitting in with the Knicks’ system:
“All of it’s communication. For me, I’m going to be myself in between what’s going on already. I’m going to hang my hat on that. I’m going to make my changes or whatever I have to do to fit in here and play the right way. We’ll figure that out. Definitely, down the line, I think all the guys know if they show (the ball to me), it’s going to get in the air. The majority of the time I feel like I’m open. It comes with a grain of salt. I have to take good shots and play the right way, as well.”
On adjusting to New York vs Utah:
“I’m an everywhere kind of guy. I’m worldwide, man.”
On his reputation as a shooter:
“I know it’s the first day of training camp but definitely I feel like down the line, all the guys know, throw it to me and it’s getting in the air. Majority of time I feel like I’m open but that comes with a grain of salt. I’ve got to take good shots, play the right way as well.”
On conversations with Jalen Brunson:
“That was just me telling him, ‘if you ever need to come off the bench and the timing is right, I’m here. I’m not looking for the ball but if you get in trouble in the last five, I’ll be around if you need somebody to throw it to.’ Those were just little tidbits I’d throw to him like when we were at World Cup and stuff to put in his ear. But that was just all playful talk. But shoot, I’m here now.”
Category: General Sports
