Steve Kerr: 'Gritty' Donte DiVincenzo Will 'Fit Right In' With Knicks
The New York Knicks signed former Golden State Warriors shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo on a four-year deal worth $50 million on July 1, hoping to make improvements on both sides of the floor.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Zach Braziller of the New York Post that his former player will assimilate very quickly to the Knicks culture.
“His competitiveness is going to fit right in," Kerr said while taking in Vegas Summer League action. "The Knicks really struck me as a competitive group last year,” Kerr said.
Kerr explained that Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau will think highly of DiVincenzo because of his 94-feet mentality.
“Tom’s going to love him because Donte is a grinder. He’s gritty and he plays hard every possession. Tom is going to love that.”
Kerr believes DiVincenzo will benefit from the Knicks' play-style because of his ability to steal, (97 times last season, 15th in the NBA), shoot (36.2 percent from downtown), and move without the ball.
Set to use Jalen Brunson in a "big role" when the FIBA Basketball World Cup tips off in late August, Kerr is one of the winningest participants in NBA history, winning five rings as a player and four more as a coach. He recognized the "Nova Knicks" championship mentality once DiVincenzo signed in Manhattan
"The Villanova connection with Josh (Hart) and Jalen (Brunson), that’s real," Kerr said. "Those guys are champions together from college. I think that connection will help."
Like college and with the Warriors, DiVincenzo is expected to come off the Knicks bench. However, now that he's reunited with his Villanova teammates, he may have a career season in 2023-24.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Knicks? Click Here.
Follow AllKnicks.com on Twitter.
Want even more New York Knicks news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
