New York Knicks: Results of drastic lineup change vary

Since New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale changed the starting lineup, what are the statistical results for the starters and the bench players?

Since New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale switched the starting lineup after the fifth game, the team is 2-3 after a 1-4 opening to 2018-19. Not a drastic difference, but enough to seemingly keep this group through their sixth game together.

The second starting lineup saw Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr., Damyean Dotson, Noah Vonleh and Mitchell Robinson align for defensive purposes and to flash New York’s youthful presences; each player is 26-years-old or younger.

The new faces in the lineup had to replace someone, however, or moved to another position to cause change.

Through five games, how have the new starters performed in comparison to those formerly opening games for the Knicks? Do any of them have a case to re-enter the lineup with one-tenth of the season already over?

Damyean Dotson

Slash line since move: .421/.273/.600
Average stats since move: 11.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 1.2 3PM, 31.3 MPG

As part of the lineup configuration, Dotson technically replaced Frank Ntilikina, who slid to a different position ahead of another player. So it leaves the second-year man alone in this first starting-lineup result.

Through five games as the starter, Dotson has averaged 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 three-point makes per game. It’s on 42.1 percent shooting, which falls below his 44.6 for the season.

Despite that, the Houston product has offered two-way play for the Knicks and versatility at 6-foot-6. He can slide to the two-guard, stick at small forward and even play as a small four in occasional situations for Fizdale.

As long as Dotson shoots adequately and stands tall defensively, he should stick in the starting lineup. There’s no indication otherwise for his removal.