Evan Fournier continues to voice his displeasure with still being on the Knicks, but Tom Thibodeau pointed to the team’s statistical success after benching him last year when asked about Fournier’s situation.
"I have great respect for him,” Thibodeau said. “You come into the season, I didn’t go into the season expecting we would do the things we ended up doing. We did it because we weren’t having success one way. So we adjusted.
“With the next group that went in, it's hard to argue a with a 37-22 record and a plus-five net rating.”
Indeed, the Knicks turned their season around once Fournier and Derrick Rose were exiled to the bench, and went on to win their first postseason series in 10 years. Fournier still has two years left on his deal and wants to be traded or get more playing time, but the Knicks will not dump Fournier just for the sake of it, as there is value in expiring contracts.
So, Thibodeau just urged Fournier to be ready when his name is called.
“Your job is to stay ready,” Thibodeau said. “Whatever it is that we’re asking you to do, go out there and do it. Be part of the team.
Put the team first.”