The New York Knicks have been on the upswing lately. They are on a five game winning streak and have won six of the last ten games. New York is fourth in the Atlantic Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference. Tom Thibodeau has changed the Knicks’ rotation this offseason and some players have faded from the lineup. Bulls center Nikola Vucevic mourned one of New York’s teammates for six and a half seasons.
Knicks SG Evan Fournier has been struggling to see playing time for New York over the past month. He hasn’t played in a game since 11/15 and the 30-year-old is averaging just 6.9 points this season, the lowest of his career since the 2013-14 season. Vucevic knows the type of opponent Fournier is and hates to see him not get any playing time.
NBA betting sites have Kiki at (+15000) to win the Finals this season.
“Everything is on the table. That’s why you have a team.”
– Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was asked if benched Patriots Derrick Rose or Evan Fournier could play if guard Jalen Brunson’s sprained ankle prevented him from playing. pic.twitter.com/OWdPQIsfFo
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 12, 2022
Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic sympathized with Knicks guard Evan Fournier
Evan Fournier was traded from the Orlando Magic at the 2021 trade deadline. Nikola Vucevic and Fournier were teammates for six and a half seasons, and apparently the two are still friends. That’s why Vucevic went public with his feelings after seeing Fournier pulled out of the New York rally. He said this through the New York Daily News.
“One thing about him, he’s a great competitor. He plays to win. He gives it all away. It’s definitely tough not having him out there and not being able to play. Especially now that he is at a good age and is having a good season” – Nikola Vucevic
It’s not like Fournier fell off the floor and forgot to play basketball. He simply hasn’t had the opportunities he did last season. Fournier was a big piece for the Knicks last season, starting and playing in 80 of 82 games. He also had 241 three-pointers during the 2012-22 season, fourth most in the league. Vucevic praised his former teammate for being a true professional and not letting the tough times shape his attitude.
It would be a shame for him not to play. But one thing I admire about him is that he remains professional in everything. Very supportive of his teammates. You never hear anyone say anything bad or negative to the press about anything. You have to respect that. That’s tough for a guy who sits at the top of his game and is highly respected around the league. Just getting out of the loop is very difficult to deal with,” – Nikola Vucevic
Head coach Tom Thibodeau recently opted to use Quentin Grimes and Cam Reds against Fournier.
