New York Knicks reserve forward Guerschon Yabusele remains unfazed by his recent reduction in court time.
“No, it’s been pretty good. There’s a lot of hard work happening here,” Yabusele shared with The Daily News prior to facing the Washington Wizards on Monday. “We have a fantastic group of guys working together, aiming for victories and building team chemistry. The team is closely knit, with some players already familiar with one another. I’m focusing on learning and fitting in perfectly to contribute to our success.”
This offseason, the Knicks made a notable move by signing Yabusele to a two-year contract using their mid-level exception, marking their most significant addition amid a relatively quiet period. However, as of Monday’s game against the Wizards, the French forward found himself sidelined from head coach Mike Brown’s regular lineup.
In the opening trio of the regular season games, Yabusele saw action for 12, 13, and 16 minutes, after participating for 10 to 23 minutes in all five preseason matchups. But a knee injury kept him out of the October 28th match against the Milwaukee Bucks. Following his return, he has only accumulated a total of five minutes across two games against the Chicago Bulls.
Coach Brown noted that Yabusele’s playing time could fluctuate based on matchups and the dynamics of each game.
“There might be times when he plays a lot of minutes, or just a few, or not at all,” Brown explained after Friday’s defeat in Chicago. “Our players need to embrace this uncertainty as we determine our strategy moving forward.”
Brown also noted that the Knicks struggled defending the rim in the limited stretches Yabusele played against Chicago’s up-tempo attack.
“I’m still kind of finding my way and we were down, and they were doing a great job of touching the paint,” Brown said. “So I’m trying to find guys that can — and not that he can’t — but switch and possibly stay in front of the ball, especially the way they were getting downhill and getting out and going.”
The Knicks coach said Yabusele faces one of the steepest learning curves in New York’s new system. Brown’s offense requires the four to function interchangeably with the one through three, while also toggling between frontcourt spots depending on lineup construction.
Yabusele believes his international experience gives him an edge in adjusting quickly.
“It’s been amazing so far being able to learn the four, the three, the five, differently in different countries, so my understanding when I’m in the game is completely different the way it clicks because most of the situations I feel like I’ve seen it,” he told The News. “I kind of [need to] make less mistakes and be efficient when I’m out there.”
But it hasn’t been quick or easy for the backup big man who was expected to fill a position similar to the one Precious Achiuwa played as a versatile front court player for the Knicks last season. Brown said he envisioned his rotation stretching “nine-and-a-half to 10” players deep, and early on, Yabusele seems to be the odd man out.
For now, the backup forward says he’s using his time outside the rotation to observe, learn, and lead where he can.
“Just over there trying to be aware when I’m out there on the court — or even if I’m out there on the bench — about what the team is doing and trying to find a way to impact the game and the team in a positive way,” Yabusele said.
Backup guard Jordan Clarkson is in a similar position — though he’s adjusted a bit faster than Yabusele.
Clarkson, too, joined the Knicks this summer, signing after securing a contract buyout from the Utah Jazz. The former Sixth Man of the Year strung together several low-scoring outings to open the season before erupting for 15 points in Sunday’s win over the Bulls.
“I think I’m just trying to figure everything out honestly, and that takes time, but definitely wanted to help from Day 1 and get it rolling,” he told The News. “But it’s part of the process and we’re still locking in and trying to figure it out.”
Clarkson, who has led the NBA in bench scoring over the last five seasons, is now being asked to do more with less. Brown’s system requires him to balance instant offense with playmaking and defensive accountability — all while backing up both Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges in the backcourt.
“It’s a little bit of an adjustment. I wouldn’t say it’s not,” Clarkson said. “But like I said, just trying to figure everybody out, figure this team out, as well as guys trying to figure me out. This is my 12th year in the league. A lot of guys have a reputation or whatever about me. I think they know what I can do, so I’m just trying to get comfortable.”
Through his first handful of games in New York, Clarkson is averaging 8.2 points per game while shooting 35 percent from three-point range. He averaged between 16 and 20 points per game over his previous five seasons in Utah.
