The Knicks “got a good one” in Donte DiVincenzo, who fulfilled his aspirations in Golden State, earned a considerable new contract, and was showered with reward Thursday by former teammate Steph Curry.
“We had a good conversation last offseason when he was trying to figure out what he was going to do,” Curry mentioned on the American Century Championship. “I do know he was coming off of an damage and looking for a state of affairs that might assist him set up who he’s as NBA participant and the way a lot worth he brings to profitable groups.
“And he proved that above and beyond with us all year. He knows how to play the game. You can tell he won at the highest level in college. The Knicks got a good one and I’m happy that he got his fair share of that CBA, too. So it was good.”
DiVincenzo’s stint as Curry’s teammate lasted only one season and formally ended final week when the Villanova guard signed a four-year, $47 million cope with the Knicks. The Warriors, who’re effectively above the luxurious tax, had been unable to match.
Although the workforce bowed out within the second spherical, DiVincenzo’s stint in San Francisco was a powerful success. He performed 72 video games — beginning 36 — and raised his averages in factors (9.4), assists (3.5), rebounds (4.5), capturing share (44%) and 3-point share (40%) from the earlier marketing campaign.
It revitalized DiVincenzo’s worth after a disappointing 2021-22, setting him up for a contract that greater than doubled his wage. In New York, DiVincenzo’s becoming a member of two of his former faculty teammates from Villanova — Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart — including optimism towards a seamless transition.
Curry lauded DiVincenzo’s maturity.
“He’s all about basketball, he’s all about winning. He brings great energy to the locker room. I used to call him the vet even though he’s still on the younger side [26 years old] just because he has that spirit about him,” Curry mentioned. “And he plays way beyond his years. He’s good on both sides of the ball. He can playmake better than most people probably realize. So he fills a lot of holes on teams. And he’s not selfish in the respect of — I know he wants to start and be that guy, but he also understands where the value can be created on a team no matter what role you’re asked to do. And he bought in right away. And he got rewarded for it.”
Barring a commerce, DiVincenzo represents New York’s huge addition after the franchise’s first playoff sequence victory in a decade. Culturally, it’s a pure match together with his Villanova connections and dedication to protection. Positionally, it’s slightly awkward.
The Knicks have a glut of guards and just one energy ahead. Tom Thibodeau may go small with the reserves if both Hart or RJ Barrett performs energy ahead, which might theoretically unencumber a rotation spot for DiVincenzo. Or, Thibodeau may broaden his rotation to 10 gamers and discover one other backup 4 — whether or not it’s Isaiah Roby, Jericho Sims or a participant available on the market.
According to a supply, the Knicks are monitoring the free-agent marketplace for a veteran huge. Available gamers embody Gorgui Dieng and Derrick Jones Jr.
Curry, arguably the NBA’s biggest shooter of all-time, is a part of the celeb athletes taking part within the American Century Championship golf event this week in Lake Tahoe, becoming a member of Charles Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Jerry Rice and Ray Romano, amongst others.
Curry, who’s competing in opposition to his brother (Seth) and father (Dell), is proficient with the golf equipment and a 12-1 favourite to win the occasion.
“The next shot mentality is huge. You have to have a short memory on both the basketball court and in golf,” Curry mentioned. “Basketball is clearly extra reactive so you will have extra time to dwell on what’s occurring in golf. You have an extended stroll from the following shot to the following shot to cope with the ideas occurring between the ears. But the next-shot mentality — it’s important to have a little bit of amnesia on the market.
“But also in both sports when you find that flow just to be able stay in that space and enjoy it and lock into whatever is producing you the right shots. …For me, when that ball is hitting the net there’s no better feeling. In both sports. Golf is a little bit harder to find it. So you got to be a little bit more patient and deal with how a game of golf can humble you.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com