Knicks' Quentin Grimes offers thoughts on busy offseason, upcoming season

LAS VEGAS -- Quentin Grimes worked out with JJ Redick in the Hamptons last month. He’s competing against some of the NBA’s top players at Team USA minicamp this week and later this month, Grimes will be in Memphis to work out with Penny Hardaway.

So there isn’t much "off" in Grimes’ offseason.

After Friday’s scrimmage at UNLV, Grimes took a few minutes to talk to SNY about his offseason, lessons from Redick and his thoughts on the upcoming season.

WORKING WITH JJ

Grimes spent two days in the Hamptons working with Redick last month. It was time well spent.

“It was probably the best two days I’ve had all summer. A 15-year NBA veteran. Seen it all, done it all, played on multiple teams,” Grimes said. “Played in the playoffs, played in big games. So just talking to him, at the gym, at his house. Going to dinner with him with his family. I couldn’t ask for a better two days, honestly.”

Grimes reached out to Redick on social media to ask if had time to workout.

Redick, an ESPN analyst and the host of the tremendous NBA podcast "Old Man And The Three," got back to Grimes right away and they set a date.

“Got in a real good workout with him, picking his brain about how he comes off pick and rolls, down screens, pin-downs, floppy action,” Grimes said. “Really just try to take as much as I can from him and incorporate it into ... this upcoming season.”

In a recent episode of his "Old Man And The Three" podcast, Redick said Grimes could help the Knicks win five more regular season games in the coming season. High praise for the young guard.

MAKING PLAYS OFF THE DRIBBLE

Grimes is among 11 first- and second-year players with the Team USA Select team in Las Vegas this week. The team scrimmages against the Team USA senior team. Players are also available to replace any senior team members who suffer injury. Grimes scrimmaged against Knicks teammates Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson on Friday. He was active on defense, knocked down a three-pointer and made plays off the dribble during the scrimmage.

Making plays off the dribble is something Grimes is looking forward to this season.

“Just been getting a lot more comfortable with the ball in my hands (in the offseason), making plays for myself and my teammates. Making more plays off the dribble, shooting off the dribble,” Grimes said. “Taking my defense to another notch. I guard the best player almost every night. Really just trying to be a lot more consistent. Try to be in the best shape possible.

"To be effective on the offensive end and guard the best player defensively, you’ve got to be in supreme shape. That’s one of the big things I learned from JJ. The way he was coming off screens. You’ve got to be one of the top (conditioned) guys in the league. So I’m definitely trying to make sure I’m in the best shape possible coming into training camp.”

RESPECT FOR RANDLE

Grimes was asked on Friday about Julius Randle playing hurt during the playoffs. Randle underwent arthroscopic surgery on his ankle a few weeks after the season. He returned from an ankle injury to play in the Knicks’ series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He reaggravated the injury and returned to the court for the Knicks’ series against the Miami Heat.

“It just really shows you that nobody should ever be questioning his toughness, how much he wants it, how much he cares about the team, how much he cares about winning,” Grimes said of Randle. “I think there’s a certain narrative around him, which I think is total bulls--t honestly. He cares a lot about this team. He does everything he can possibly [do] to make sure his body is right, to make sure he’s in the best shape possible to make sure he can give it all. So that’s my dog. It just shows how much he wants to win.”

NUMBERS GAME

Grimes’ number will be retired by his high school, The Woodlands College Park High School in Woodlands, TX, later this month. At Woodlands, Grimes was named All-Greater Houston Player of the Year, the Gatorade State Player of the Year, and a McDonald's All-American. He was the first freshman in school history to start every game.

Grimes, as you’d expect, is excited to get his jersey retired.

“It’s something I really never thought would happen,” he said. “... It should be a great day for sure for me and my family.”

Speaking of numbers, Grimes is one of a handful of NBA players who wear the No. 6. The number was retired league-wide to honor the late Bill Russell. But players who wore the number prior to its retirement could continue to wear it. LeBron James wore No. 6 last season and is reportedly changing his number this season due to the retirement of the number. Grimes will keep his No. 6 for next season.

“That was my USA number back in high school and I’m here now,” he said. “I like the number 6 and I’m going to stick with it until I can’t wear it any longer.”