Evan Fournier is on the verge of Knicks history

Evan Fournier is on the brink of franchise history.

The Knicks shooting guard entered Wednesday night’s game in Charlotte just three 3-pointers shy of John Starks’ single-season franchise record of 217. Barring injury, it’s a fait accompli for Fournier with two weeks remaining in the season. He had buried multiple treys in 21 of the previous 24 contests.

“It’s cool, especially for a franchise like the Knicks with such a big history and so many great players,” Fournier said. “It’s great. I didn’t really start the year thinking about any of that. The first time I saw something about the record was post-All-Star break. It’s so hard not to notice now with social media, so many stats out there.”

Starks has held the record since 1995, and it deserves an asterisk. That was the first season the NBA moved the 3-point line almost two feet closer at the top of the key. Starks pummeled Dan Majerle’s league record that season, and the line was moved back to its current dimensions by 1997.

A couple weeks ago, Fournier surpassed No. 3 on the Knicks’ list, JR Smith, who hit 189 triples in 2014. Danilo Gallinari and Jamal Crawford round out the top-5.

Fournier was signed for his offense in the summer with a hefty price tag — four years, $78 million — and morphed into a 3-point specialist largely playing off the ball. Entering Wednesday, he attempted nearly 100 more 3-pointers than his previous career high.

It’s not the playmaking role Fournier was expected to adopt with such a big contract, but it’s also the best opportunity available when sharing a court with ball dominant teammates Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

“Says more about the away I was able to adapt,” Fournier said. “When you look at the number of 3s I’ve taken this year, I’ve never played so much behind the 3-point line in my career. That’s probably why it took me a couple of months to figure it out, what was my role and how I was going to be able to impact winning and impact the team.

“I think it shows I’m able to adapt to any situation. Earlier in my career, I was much more of a driver. It’s actually good to be able to adapt, to add weapons to your arsenal, to try different things and experience different things. Depending on the system, on the players you’re playing with, you’re not going to be able to dictate how you play. There’s only a few guys that can do that, superstars.”

Fournier found a defined role and it’s leading to breaking a 27-year record.

“When you look at shot profile, it’s very good,” Tom Thibodeau said. “For any off guard, it’s finding rhythm. Timing, spacing, rhythm for a shooter is critical. So, I think his teammates are looking for him more. He knows when it’s coming more. And I think it’s been good. There’s still work to be done where we can, I think, to take advantage of him even more.”

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/SvCJl8W