‘I hope I don’t get in trouble’ – Knicks head coach Mike Brown leaves no doubt on how he feels about former Vol Dalton Knecht
Former Tennessee Vols basketball standout Dalton Knecht scored 10 points in his regular season debut for the New York Knicks.
Former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht received his first opportunity with the New York Knicks on Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls and he made the most of it.
Knecht, who was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers before the season, scored 10 points and secured seven rebounds in 16 minutes of action in the Knicks’ 135-105 win.
It was the most minutes Knecht has seen in a regular season game since April 7 when he was still with the Lakers.
After the game, Knicks head coach Mike Brown made it clear that he views Knecht as a scorer, not just a shooter.
“It was just a gut feel to throw him in toward the end of that first half,” said Brown. “He’s a scorer, he’s not just a shooter. A lot of people think he’s a shooter because he’s white. I mean, I said it for you — I hope I don’t get in trouble.
“But he can go get it. He can shoot from range. He’s got a medium game. He can get to the rim. He can pass. He’s got to work defensively. And I thought tonight, he tried to play within himself and contributed the best way he could. There are a couple of things defensively that he can do a little better, and that’s what he’s got to really concentrate on. But I thought he gave us a nice little lift, especially offensively, when he played toward the end of that first half.”
Getting released by the Lakers could be the best thing that ever happens to Knecht. Lakers head coach JJ Redick clearly didn’t have much belief in Knecht. Now the former Vol is paired with a coach who sees his value and wants to give him a chance. And that’s all Knecht has needed the last couple of years.
