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New York Knicks: Player power rankings after starting lineup changes

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Damyean Dotson #21 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Noah Vonleh #32 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Noah Vonleh #32 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 29, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After two weeks, where do the New York Knicks stand in the latest power rankings?

Week 2 transpired with a 1-2 record for the New York Knicks. Games against the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets brought out positives and negatives across the roster, including a shake-up to the starting lineup that impacted the latter two matchups.

The Knicks closed Week 2 trending up against the Nets on a 115-96 win. It brought them into Week 3, which features four games on the schedule.

Along the way, players stepped up for New York for this week’s power rankings. Two of them enter after an absence in Week 1. So who joined the top five? Let’s take a look:

. Previous: 4th. Noah Vonleh. 5. team. 27.

Slash Line: .545/.333/.727
Week 2 Averages: 7.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 0.3 3PM
Season Averages: 7.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 0.1 3PM

Noah Vonleh was on a torrid pace in the first week, as he provided a double-double in his New York Knicks debut and a 13-rebound game in just 21 minutes against the Boston Celtics. This pushed him into the starting lineup for two of the three Week 2 games.

For early season averages, the fifth-year man mostly stayed in line with them in Week 2, with 7.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game in 22.8 minutes.

Vonleh will stay efficient from the field, taking most of his shots inside the arc and near the rim. Activity on the boards may carry him to more playing time, however, if games like Monday’s occur, with another 10-rebound performance.

Whether he keeps this starting spot remains to be seen. Head coach David Fizdale has not locked in any lineup combination, and there’s no indication of when he may do so.

However, as Jonathan Macri of Knicks Film School and The Step Back noted, Vonleh owns the highest Plus/Minus so far:

It’s a defensive piece that scores, which gives New York a two-way option in the frontcourt to open games, rather than Lance Thomas’ one-way skill set. This should remain into the third week and beyond.

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