SALT LAKE CITY — Cam Payne admits he ‘truthfully did not know’ what his function could be when he signed with the Knicks this summer time, however the 10-year NBA veteran contributed 8.2 factors in 17.1 minutes in 11 appearances as a backup.
Payne can also be taking pictures 44.4 p.c from 3-point vary, behind solely Karl-Anthony Cities (50 p.c) among the many group’s common rotation members coming into Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Jazz.
“Truthfully, I simply needed to come back assist,” mentioned Payne, who signed a one-year contract price a assured $3 million. “Once I go on the market, I wish to be aggressive and simply benefit from my alternatives. Clearly I did it. I am in there. However I did not know that after I arrived. I simply needed to be one of the best participant I may very well be day-after-day.
“I form of needed to begin over, make folks like me, present them what I may do. … I’ll form of play so everybody is aware of what I am doing, what I am bringing to the desk. And I am beginning to flip heads somewhat. I hope I can discover some love there in New York.
Josh Hart is posting profession highs in minutes (37.3), factors (14.1), rebounds (9.0), assists (5.9) and completion share (59.6) in 15 video games.
“It’s like a Swiss military knife. He does so many alternative issues,” Tom Thibodeau mentioned. “He can provoke the offensive. He strikes nicely with out the ball. He performs quick. He can play in transition.
“And he labored extraordinarily laborious on his shot. I believe he feels good along with his shot. He spent lots of time on it, so it is constructive for us. However I believe being able to provoke is large for our group. Protection, tenacity, agitated video games are, I believe, a very powerful. He simply has a knack for recovering the ball. These additional effort performs give your group lots of power and we want that.
Miles McBride (knee) is questionable and Treasured Achiuwa (hamstring) stays out for the Knicks.
