Former New York Knicks player Evan Fournier expressed his relief at being free from the team. In an interview with Detroit reporters after a practice on February 12, Fournier shared his excitement for a new opportunity. Fournier’s time with the Knicks came to an end at the trade deadline on February 8, where he was traded to the Pistons in exchange for Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic. During his time with the Knicks, Fournier only appeared in 30 games over the course of one and a half seasons.
Despite his departure from the Knicks, Fournier’s playing time with the Pistons is not guaranteed. The team has been performing well with their young players during their current road trip, winning two out of their last three games. Fournier remains uncertain about his role with the team but is preparing for their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers as if he will be playing.
Fournier’s professionalism during his time in New York earned him respect from his teammates and fans. He set a franchise record for the most 3-pointers made in a single season during his first year with the Knicks, and averaged 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 110 games.
Fans of the Knicks expressed their gratitude towards Fournier for his contributions to the team, despite the disappointing ending to his time in New York. Some fans also poked fun at the Knicks for getting rid of Fournier, celebrating his departure from the team.
Bogdanovic Struggles in Knicks Debut, Burks Shines Off the Bench
In a highly anticipated Knicks trade acquisition, Bogdanovic had a disappointing offensive performance during his debut at Madison Square Garden. The veteran forward only managed to hit 3 of 10 shots from the field, resulting in a meager 11 points off the bench. Unfortunately, the Knicks were outscored by 10 points during the 33 minutes he spent on the court.
Despite the underwhelming performance, Bogdanovic received a warm welcome from the Knicks fans when he entered the game with 4:12 left in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers. However, the 34-year-old player struggled to find his rhythm, missing his first two attempts. It wasn’t until the second quarter that he finally made his first basket as a Knick, sinking a 3-pointer from the right elbow. Unfortunately, he went on to miss five of his last seven attempts.
On the other hand, Alec Burks, who is already familiar with Coach Thibodeau’s system, had a much more impressive showing. Coming off the bench, Burks contributed 22 points to the Knicks’ effort. He made 7 of 14 shots from the field, including three crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter that injected excitement into the game. Despite his strong performance, Burks finished with a negative net rating of minus-4.
Reflecting on the game, Coach Thibodeau acknowledged that there were both positive and challenging aspects to the first game with Bogdanovic and Burks. He emphasized the need for the team to improve collectively. “I thought for the first game [with Bogdanovic and Burks], there were some obviously good things and obviously there’s a lot for them to adjust to. As a team, I think we have to do a lot better,” Thibodeau commented.
Overall, it was a mixed bag for the Knicks’ new acquisitions. While Bogdanovic struggled to find his scoring touch, Burks provided a spark off the bench. The team will need to work on their collective performance moving forward to achieve better results.
According to the Source heavy.com