CHICAGO — A supposedly upgraded bench hasn’t seemed it.
Newcomers Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, whom the Knicks signed in the summertime to create depth that was largely non-existent final season, have struggled to discover a groove and earn Mike Brown’s belief.
Yabusele logged simply three minutes in Friday night time’s 135-125 loss to the Bulls and was benched for all the second half. It was a troubling signal after the Knicks used most of their cap area to ink Yabusele as their solely skilled backup within the entrance court docket.
He missed one sport with a sprained knee, and is averaging simply two factors on 23 % taking pictures, and simply 11 minutes per sport.
Brown mentioned he benched Yabusele in Chicago as a result of he was searching for defenders who may swap on screens.
“He could play an entire bunch of minutes at occasions, he could play just a few, he could not play in any respect,” Brown mentioned. “And that’s a part of what our guys have to just accept earlier than we determine what we need to do.”
Clarkson, in the meantime, can also be working on restricted taking part in time, having been shortly supplanted within the rotation by Landry Shamet. Brown, in line with sources, is a giant fan of Shamet and pushed to maintain him on the roster after the guard entered camp on a nonguaranteed deal.
However that additionally leaves Clarkson, a former Sixth Man of the Yr winner, averaging simply 14.8 minutes and 6.8 factors on 29 % taking pictures.
All of these stats can be profession lows.
“I assume it’s entire new studying for me,” Clarkson informed The Put up. “New coach, new system, new group. Simply making an attempt to choose up on every part I can.”
The bench has endured issues aside from the newcomers.
Josh Hart has performed like a shell of himself via 5 video games, clearly bothered by his surgically repaired finger and averaging simply 2.8 factors on 21 % taking pictures in 22.3 minutes.
His struggles have translated to protection as nicely. Tyler Kolek’s taking part in time has declined because the opener, with Brown solely trusting the purpose guard for 4 minutes in Chicago. He was additionally benched for all the second half.
Throughout the present three-game shedding streak, the Knicks’ reserves have been outscored, 131-60.
That’s worse than final season. For any hope of success, the Knicks want a greater bench.
“We’ve to present just a little time first earlier than I’m too frightened about it,” Brown mentioned, “however our bench does need to play higher. We’ve bought to knock these photographs down or we’ve bought to complete on the rim after we get there, or attempt to get out in transition to attempt to get a few simple baskets from these guys coming off the bench. Proper now, we’re not doing any of it.”
