Cam Reddish’s uneven preseason didn’t prevent Tom Thibodeau giving him a shot once the games began for real for two reasons: Quentin Grimes’ left foot injury and what he saw from the 6-foot-8 wing behind closed doors.
Reddish was doing the right things, not allowing missed shots to impact other areas of his game.
“It’s what a guy does in practice every day,” Thibodeau said following Knicks practice Sunday. “You guys don’t see that, but obviously we do. And so, we see the progress in practice. Usually, if you practice well, you’re gonna play well.”
It has carried over into the regular season for Reddish, who exploded for 22 points in the season-opening loss to the Grizzlies and added six points, four rebounds and a plus-12 rating in Friday’s blowout of the Pistons.
“He’s gotten a lot better offensively and defensively,” Thibodeau said of Reddish, who failed to carve out a role for himself last year after arriving in a January trade from the Hawks. “And a big part of that is, I think, him getting comfortable with his teammates, his teammates getting comfortable with him. His attitude’s been great. Just keep working.”
Meanwhile, Grimes remained out of practice and is still day-to-day with a sore left foot, Thibodeau said. He missed most of the preseason, returned for the final game, but felt discomfort in the foot the following day. Grimes has said he feels close to being back, but has yet to return to practice.
“Just more precautionary,” Thibodeau said, when asked how Grimes is feeling physically. “We just wanna make sure he’s stacking days. So, we feel like when he feels real good, that will be the time.”
Reddish’s early emergence has lessened the need for the Knicks to rush Grimes back. When the second-year guard is able to play, it could create a logjam on the second unit.
“It’s all based on performance,” Thibodeau said. “A guy goes in there, you play well, you play more minutes. It’s really not that complicated. So do it consistently, whoever gets the opportunity, if you want more minutes, play well when you’re in there. If the team plays well, you’re going to be in there.”