New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has lifted the lid on the benching of star point guard Kemba Walker.
To date, Kemba Walker has gone “DNP” (did not play) via coach's decision in two consecutive games for the Knicks.
Based on coach Thibodeau's simple reasoning, the All-Star guard has been deemed not suitable in the current “rotation” he's been implementing, and what lies ahead is still yet to be determined.
According to coach Thibs, despite falling down the pecking order, Walker is still “doing all the things” expected from him in team practices. Then again, the approach in terms of rotation and strategy remains the same, thus, it doesn't guarantee that Walker will be returning to the Knicks' starting lineup.
“As I mentioned before when I made that decision; I view Kemba as a starter,” Thibodeau said via New York Daily News. “I do have respect for him, he’s part of the team. And right now we have a rotation, he’s not in the rotation but he’s working in practice, he’s doing all the things he should be doing.”
“If the intensity’s right and the execution’s not right and it’s not working, then you change [the rotation],” the coach explained. “So those are the two things, when you look at decision-making. And then you gather more information. Sometimes, if a decision’s not right, then you make another decision. You gather the information, study it and you look at it objectively. …If we’re not performing well, look, there may be more changes coming.”
Prior to being sidelined, Walker was averaging 11.7 points, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
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