Knicks Preview: 5 Keys to Defeating the San Antonio Spurs
Oct 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard
John Wall(2) battles for the ball with New York Knicks guard
Jose Calderon(3) and Knicks guard
Sasha Vujacic(18) in the first quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
4. A Tale of Two Backcourts
With Arron Afflalo sidelined by a bothersome hamstring, the New York Knicks have started Sasha Vujacic at shooting guard. The 31-year-old has been paired with point guard Jose Calderon in the starting lineup.
Through three games, that duo has been thoroughly outplayed by reserves Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant.
It’s not necessarily a problem that the backups are outplaying the starters if there’s a rotational reason for it. For instance, Galloway and Grant have provided an invaluable change of pace from the starters.
In order to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, however, the Knicks will need the starters to shine.
Jose Calderon and Sasha Vujacic have told a similar story with their respective play. Both have an individual game that stood out from the rest, but have struggled terribly in the other two.
If Calderon and Vujacic can’t, at the very least, convert with efficiency from beyond the arc, New York will struggle to match the Spurs’ upside as a sharpshooting team.
Next: Creating Opportunities