It's only the preseason, and it smells of gunpowder.
On October 14, Beijing time, the Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 115-110, because the two teams had just traded not long ago, so the highlights can be said to be full, but the emotions of the parties who were traded seem to be completely different.
Downs was in a good mood, talking and laughing before the game, hugging and greeting his old teammates, and exchanging jerseys with Edwards after the game.
Although Randle did not play, he also had a good conversation with several old Knicks teammates, and in the fourth quarter of this game, he also went to the Knicks bench to communicate with Brunson, Anunoby, and the team's assistant coach.
The difference, it's DiVincenzo.
The first time he faced his old club, even though it was only a pre-season, you could tell that DiVincenzo was very, very unhappy.
In an interview before the game, the reporter asked him: "If you could shoot a winning three-pointer, who would you want to shoot in front of?" Brunson, Hart or Bridges? ”
The reporter was trying to get DiVincenzo to choose between three old Villanova teammates, but he laughed and said: "I'd rather shoot in front of Thibodeau, that's my answer." ”
In the first quarter of the game, DiVincenzo stood on the free throw line, and then went crazy to the Knicks bench.
It included: "Thank you for the trade, Thibodeau, thank you for trading me, that's what they do if they put you in control of the team, this is what happens when they put you in control of the team." ”
Fortunately, at least it was just a one-sided "exchange", and the smell of gunpowder was that after the game, DiVincenzo actually quarreled with Brunson's father (Knicks assistant coach) before leaving the game, until the players on both sides pulled them away.
Just a few seconds ago, DiVincenzo and Brunson walked together, and this unexpected quarrel directly stunned Bridges on the side.
DiVincenzo still has a good relationship with Brunson and Hart, and he also talked and laughed and hugged his old teammates before the game, and it is clear that DiVincenzo is not happy with Thibodeau, who he believes was the coaching staff who made the trade decision.
Truth be told, DiVincenzo is completely understandable that he is unhappy, and most people will be dissatisfied with his experience.
First of all, the Knicks are in the New York metropolis and the Timberwolves are in Minnesota, and although DiVincenzo is not bad for money, the quality of life on both sides is definitely different.
Moreover, before DiVincenzo was traded, the Knicks had just exchanged Bridges for a large amount of money, one of the purposes was to reunite the four Villanova Youngsters, presumably the four of them must have not talked less about how to play in the new season in the offseason, but as a result, just before the start of the game, he was actually sent away, and it was natural to be unacceptable.
Most importantly, DiVincenzo played hard last season.
In the regular season, he played in a total of 81 games, averaging 29.1 minutes per game, 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists, shooting 44.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.
In the second half of the season, due to the Knicks' injury wave, DiVincenzo can be said to be hardworking, he averaged 38.2 minutes per game in the next 35 games, third in the league (Hart 40.0 minutes in the league), and the more classic is that he played 49 minutes against the Raptors and 52.5 minutes against the Bulls.
This is only the regular season and playoffs, DiVincenzo played in 13 games, averaging 35.8 minutes per game, 17.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists, shooting 41.9% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range.
Just like at the end of the regular season, DiVincenzo still played full minutes, playing 37 minutes against the 76ers G2 in the first round, scoring 19 points, and shooting a three-pointer in the final moments; In G6, he played another 48 minutes, handing over 23 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists.
In the first three games of the Pacers, he played 43.7 minutes, 43.6 minutes, and 43.9 minutes respectively, and scored 25 points, 28 points, and 35 points; In the tie-break battle, although the Knicks were out, DiVincenzo played 41 minutes and scored 39 points, so it can be said that he left standing.
Last season's Knicks, naturally Brunson was the most amazing, but DiVincenzo also had a lot of highlights, and no matter how Thibodeau used him, he never complained, but defended Thibodeau many times in front of the media.
As a result, such a payment was exchanged for a ruthless deal - DiVincenzo and Randle are still different, not only because Randle was reimbursed last season, but also because he and the other three brothers of Villanova planned to make a career together, and then they were actually "kicked out".
However, objectively speaking, the Knicks trade is also a last resort, after all, Harden is gone, Miro's injury is not good, and there is no good center in the free market, so when there is a chance to get a player of Towns' level, DiVincenzo can only be sacrificed.
Fortunately, the Timberwolves are not bad, although the geographical location is not very good, but at least the Timberwolves are a really strong team, with the possibility of competing for the championship, looking forward to the upcoming new season, the two teams meet in the regular season - be bold, in case these two teams meet in the finals, it will be interesting.