Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has cleared up any speculation on who will be the starting point guard this season.
The Knicks signed former Celtics point guard Kemba Walker this past offseason, causing many to wonder what the move will mean for Derrick Rose.
During the second day of Knicks training camp on Wednesday, Thibodeau addressed the speculation, saying Walker is going to be the starter.
But Thibodeau made sure to add that if things don’t go as planned, the lineup could be changed, per Knicks beat reporter Fred Katz.
“Pretty much [Kemba Walker will start]. I had an idea going in what we wanted to look at,” Thibodeau said. “The one thing I feel very strongly about is that our second unit played very well together last year, so I want them to stay intact.
“But that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. A lot of these guys are interchangeable. So yeah, they’re going to play with both groups. And I’ve never really been concerned with who starts as much as I am with who finishes. So, the guys who give us the best chance to win will finish.”
Derrick Rose has already conceded the starting spot to Walker during the Knicks' Media Day on Monday. Rose, who excelled coming off the bench for the Knicks last season, is willing to do the same thing this year.
“He’s starting, he’s starting,” Rose said on Monday. “Whatever it takes to just change the game. I’m not worried about minutes or playing time. I know Thibs is gonna handle that. But I feel like we have a deep team.”
Going into his 14th year and having to overcome a lot of major injuries, Rose said he is just happy to be playing in New York, and that Walker deserves a chance to play in New York and show why he was worth the addition.
“I’m on Year 14. I’m appreciative to be here. He’s a starter. Coming in, he has a lot to prove being from New York. You have to give him the stage, being that he’s from here. You have to give him the opportunity. It’s not [about] fighting for a spot. My job is to fill in. But I just have to stay ready.’’
Walker is looking for an injury-free season after being held to 43 games last season due to an arthritic left knee. He said he will have to determine whether he plays some or most of the back-to-backs.
“They already had that mapped out for me to not play back-to-backs," Walker said. "We’re just going to go, playing, see how I feel, game by game. My plan isn’t — I’m not going to just say I’m not playing back-to-backs. That’s not the deal. Just see how I feel.”
Tuesday was the first official Knicks practice for Walker, who was born and raised in the Bronx and played his high school ball at Rice High School in Harlem.
“This is a new situation, new guys, new team, new coach. … I’m home. I’m from here, born and raised. And it feels like it. Getting a lot of love. The fans, everywhere I go, really just embracing it."
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