Knicks Anticipate Steep Learning Curve for Rising Star Guerschon Yabusele: What Fans Need to Know

Guerschon Yabusele is navigating a challenging adjustment period, as observed by his new head coach, and recent performances have reflected this transition.

The 29-year-old Yabusele has faced difficulties settling into his role this preseason, frequently switching between frontcourt positions. His performance during Monday’s defeat against the Wizards was notably off-kilter.

As the Knicks’ most significant offseason addition, Yabusele joined the team on a $12 million free-agent deal. Standing at 6-foot-8, he is primarily a power forward but possesses the strength to handle the center position as well.

In a surprising turn during the game against the Wizards, Yabusele was called upon to start at center after Ariel Hukporti was sidelined due to illness. Unfortunately, he was outperformed by Marvin Bagley III, a player once considered a draft disappointment.

During Yabusele’s 23 minutes on the court, the Knicks were outscored by a staggering 33 points.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for him to get some time at the center position,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “It’s tough for him and he was thinking a little too much, which is gonna happen. And it kind of brought his game to a halt in other areas. I thought the second half, his energy, his activity, was a lot better. He started feeling a little bit more comfortable in the second half, but it’s going to be a little bit of a learning curve for him.”

Brown has said Yabusele and Karl-Anthony Towns — who also plays both frontcourt positions — have the most on their plate in the new system “because they have to basically know all five positions and read and react in a conceptual offense.”

Yabusele, who is averaging 4.5 points in the preseason in 16 minutes on 33 percent shooting, said his biggest adjustment is the pace.

Listed at 265 pounds, he’s carrying around a big body for Brown’s speedball system.

“For sure, it’s pretty big [of a learning curve] in the offense,” he said, “and also like running, so the biggest key for me was to just run all the time, try to run to the basket to try to make the other teams tired.”

After consecutive bad defensive possessions from Yabusele in Monday’s second quarter — when he was beaten backdoor and then was out of position while being taken off the dribble — Brown subbed out the Frenchman for a quick chat.

Yabusele was subbed back in about 40 seconds later.

“We had a conversation about what was happening in the game,” Yabusele said. “We talked about a situation that was there, and what he wanted me to do better.”

After all, preseason is a good time to flatten the learning curve.

“I’m really trying to be as much as I can be focused to try to get every detail to make sure I’m at the right spot,” Yabusele said. “For me, it’s a new team with new guys so I really try to fit into the system and be a solution not a problem.”