The first 2023-24 episode of the world’s best reality show, otherwise known as the National Basketball Association, dropped on Monday. The majority of teams held Media Day, including the New York Knicks.
Fans heard Tom Thibodeau respectfully call Evan Fournier out following the guard’s comments over the summer. Fournier is an afterthought for the Knicks, but that could quickly change if his $18.9 million salary gets thrown into a trade for a star player. At least then, Fournier’s time in NYC will end on a high note.
Looking around the league, there were plenty more entertaining quotes that Knicks fans can get a laugh out of.
3 Non-New York Knicks Media Day quotes fans will find amusing
3: John Collins taking a shot at the Hawks
After years of his name being wrapped up in trade rumors, the Hawks finally traded John Collins to the Jazz in July. All Utah and Danny Ainge had to give up was Rudy Gay and a second-round pick, and because the Jazz have the cap space, taking on the final three years (including a player option) of Collins’ contract won’t set them back.
His production dipped in his final few seasons in Atlanta, but he still averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 2022-23. Collins isn’t on a contending team, but to be fair, the Hawks aren’t contenders either. From Collins’ perspective, the trade gives him a much-needed fresh start.
During his first Media Day with the Jazz, Collins quickly pointed out one of the major differences between his new and former team.
It shouldn’t take much guessing to pinpoint which players Collins was referencing. Trae Young is the first name that comes to mind, especially after Young and former head coach Nate McMillan got into an argument (subscription required) last December that resulted in the guard not showing up to support his teammates during a home game against the Nuggets.
Young doesn’t have a good reputation amongst Knicks fans dating back to 2021, but at least since then, New York has made it past the second round. Atlanta has been first-round exits the past two years, but maybe in his first full season as head coach, Quin Snyder will be able to change that in 2024.
