Alec Burks returned to the Knicks following a two-week, six-game absence because of COVID-19 protocols but wasn’t ready to play Wednesday against the Bulls.
Coach Tom Thibodeau labeled the 29-year-old “day-to-day” and compared his return timeline to that of Derrick Rose, who didn’t play for five days after emerging from a difficult battle with COVID-19 last month.
Burks participated in shootaround Wednesday morning and wasn’t activated against the Bulls.
“We’ll see where he is until we can evaluate further, but he needs to ramp up his conditioning,” Thibodeau said.
The Knicks have three days off before their next game Sunday in Houston, an ideal window to at least test Burks’ fitness. He was on fire before the COVID-19 absence, serving as the team’s most potent offensive weapon off the bench while scoring at least 19 points in nine of his last 15 games.
With just nine games remaining after Wednesday against the Bulls, the runway for Burks is short and Thibodeau will have to incorporate Burks into a bench rotation that was clicking with Derrick Rose as the catalyst.
Rose was averaging more minutes (30.2) and points (19.3) with Burks in COVID protocols. The veteran said he’s ready to adjust to any role, and it’s worth noting that scouts believe Rose – at least before he joined the Knicks – was better served in shorter spurts because he fades with more minutes. That hasn’t been the case lately but it’s worth monitoring.
“That’s all up to Thibs. I’m not worried about that,” Rose said. “My job coming here was seeing what the game needed, trying to be vocal, talking to the young guys. If it does change, I’m comfortable enough to do whatever it is. It’s not going to be a problem. Whatever Thibs wants me to do or the team wants to me to do, I’m going to do it 100 percent.”
Thibodeau is also juggling Elfrid Payton and Immanuel Quickley in the guard rotation. The fans have been down Payton all season – even chanting in MSG for his substitution out of a game – but Thibodeau appreciates the 27-year-old’s veteran presence.
Meanwhile, according to multiple overseas outlets, the Knicks agreed to sign another guard, Argentinian Luca Vildoza, a 25-year-old playmaker who went undrafted in the NBA and has been playing professionally in Spain. Vildoza played internationally with Argentina and averaged just over 10 points in EuroLeague this season.
The Knicks will have an open roster spot after Jared Harper’s 10-day contract expires Monday.
Source (Ny Daily news)