Knicks Bulletin: ‘I’m blessed. I’ve got skinny bones’

New York got back to the gym as they get ready to host a familiar pack of Timberwolves.

The New York Knicks had a few days off before returning to the gym on Friday gearing up for Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves inside Madison Square Garden.

This weekend will mark the (quick) return of Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle to MSG just a few days after leaving the town they called home for years and helped build into the supernova it is these days.

Here are a whole lot of quotes from coach Thibs and a handful of Knicks players for you to enjoy on Columbus Day.

Tom Thibodeau

On the need to set routines in the NBA:

“It’s so important to establish routines because, in the NBA, there’s something almost every night. So you don’t want to get caught up in the hoopla. Just focus in on, ‘OK, this is how I get ready to play,’ and you go step by step.

“Don’t get distracted. And it’s easy to get distracted. There’s a million things going on in this league all the time. Guys change teams all the time. Just be locked into what you have to do to help your team win.”

On Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle’s contributions to the Knicks:

“Donte and Julius contributed so much to the organization and team.

“There is a great appreciation for what they did. It’s part of our league. We wish them well.”

On the team’s day-to-day focus:

“We’re taking it day by day. You have to put in the work each day. Can’t take any shortcuts.”

Tyler Kolek

On leaning on veterans for guidance:

“All the vets, just leaning on them, they’ve been there before. They know how this works.

“I’m kind of coming into this blind. Three years in college, each year I knew what to expect. Coming into this league I don’t really know what to expect, so just really leaning on those guys, leaning on my teammates to guide me through.”

On starting fresh and without a reputation in the NBA:

“I mean, everybody goes through it. High school I did it, college I did it. Now I’ve got to do it all over again. So kind of just start your building blocks. You tore down that house. College is over with. Now I’m trying to build another house. So starting with my building blocks, getting that foundation and then building up from there.”

On Jalen Brunson’s influence in his game and avoiding comparisons:

“He plays at his own pace. He’s never sped up and he tries to make the right decision every single time. And he’s efficient, too.”

On learning from Tom Thibodeau:

“He’s really sharp. Everything we do in practice he’s on us. He wants to win. The team embodies that, the whole mindset. We all want to win. So if we’ve got to go harder, sharper, we kind of follow his lead.”

On handling mistakes under Thibodeau:

“My freshman year in college my coach would do the same thing (give you the mad look).

“I actually stepped out of bounds today and he just gives you that look. Obviously it’s my fault. Looking at him, I know I’ve got to be better.”

Mikal Bridges

On hunting for A.C. Green’s ironman streak set at 1,192 consecutive games played:

“No way I’m catching him.

“I’ve gotta see what he was doing at the end [of his streak]. I wonder if he was subbing in and subbing out.

“It ain’t that deep (for me), I promise you. I’m just trying to play.”

On his durability and health:

“People have asked me what’s the secret, and I’m just, like, ‘I’m blessed.’

“I’ve got skinny bones that could hold up really well. Just doing a lot of recovery and lifting. Just doing things to help prevent [injuries]. That’s pretty much it.”

On his usual recovery routine:

“I’m not staying here (in the gym after games) just chilling. I’m doing stuff for recovery to help my body and help myself be better for the next day. You’ll feel OK now, but it’s that next day when you wake up. So trying to feel good tonight so tomorrow I won’t feel as bad.”

On learning more about his body every year:

“I feel as I got older I always added something and just learned. The cups are something that was new. Needling last year was new. Just adding little things I’ve never really done before.”

Josh Hart

On the trade of former Villanova teammate Donte DiVincenzo:

“It’s just, I think that was like the first time that it hit me like, ‘Damn, [Donte’s] gone.’

“[Playing together] was something that we were really looking forward to, and unfortunately we weren’t able to do it.

“I feel like we should blame Isaiah Hartenstein. I feel like it’s all his fault, so, thank you ‘Zay.’ Appreciate it.”

On DiVincenzo’s return to MSG on Sunday following the trade:

“Obviously, it’s a tough one, it’s part of the business, but I’m just like... I miss my dog man.

“I think he should be received with cheers and [an] ovation for everything he did for the team last year. He put himself and his body on the line and brought it every night. So he should get a warm welcome.”

On his limited offensive role with the Knicks:

“I think the scoring aspect will probably [be something] I have to sacrifice.

“I’m a shooter with rhythm and that rhythm is going to be scarce at times. I’ve got to be focused and confident when I do get those shots and shoot the ball with confidence.

“Like I said, the rhythm will be the tough one to try to figure out, but my role this year is [not] to be that shooter or that scorer.”

On sacrificing for the team’s success:

“I won’t lie, it’ll be frustrating at times for sure, but at the end of the day I think we don’t go far, we don’t win without having to sacrifice, and I think that’s just something I’ll have to sacrifice.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On living out of a suitcase and adjusting to New York’s life:

“No, no (he’s not settled yet). What is this, like my fourth day in New York really? It’s like my fourth day in New York.

“Just taking the punches as they come.”

On facing his old team, the Timberwolves, on Sunday at MSG:

“Yeah, it’s going to be weird. It’s going to be a weird feeling.

“It’s the business. It’s the game. Got to go out there and compete at a high level.”

On the trade still feeling unreal:

“Even at dinner—last night me and my girlfriend were having dinner. She looked at me and she just tapped me on the shoulder and she said, ‘Can you really believe this is our life now?’ And we’re both still in shock.”

On playing with Jalen Brunson:

“I’ve always watched him from afar. I’ve been a fan of his game. I think that he’s one of the most talented players in this league.

“Nothing has really surprised me because my respect for him has already been tremendously high. Honored to be able to play with him.”

On his chemistry with Jalen Brunson improving from the preseason opener to the second exhibition:

“Just seeing what the defense is doing, how they’re playing defense against me and our guards. Just making the correct decision.

“Me and JB last game, we did a great job, especially in the third quarter, utilizing the pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll. And that was just all feel, both of us knowing each other, growing with each other, building chemistry.”

On being comfortable with the Knicks from day one:

“They’ve been patient with me and continue to find ways to try to help me in this process.”

On his (and the team’s) poor shooting at the start of the Knicks preseason:

“We’ve got to shoot better. I thought we did well defensively. We were really gelling.”