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New York Knicks: Latest lineup offers hope for struggling team

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 16: Allonzo Trier #14 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 16, 2018 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 16: Allonzo Trier #14 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 16, 2018 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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How much better was Friday’s lineup for the New York Knicks compared to Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder?

Following Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale made another change to the starting lineup — his second in two games. It was Allonzo Trier in for Noah Vonleh, with Kevin Knox sliding to the stretch four.

It became Fizdale’s fifth lineup of the season, with one of them changed due to an injury. The frequent adjustments are to see who fits and who doesn’t in this developmental year.

So, n Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, how much of a difference did this make? Let’s look at the statistical basics:

Nov. 14 vs. Thunder: Lost 128-103

  • Emmanuel Mudiay: 7 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2-for-5 shooting (0-for-3 on three-pointers)
  • Tim Hardaway Jr.: 20 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 6-for-12 shooting (3-for8 on three-pointers)
  • Kevin Knox: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 5-for-16 shooting (2-for-7 on three-pointers)
  • Noah Vonleh: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3-for-7 shooting (0-for-1 on three-pointers)
  • Mitchell Robinson: 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 3-for-4 shooting

Nov. 16 vs. Pelicans: Lost 129-124

  • Emmanuel Mudiay: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 8-for-12 shooting (2-for-3 on three-pointers)
  • Allonzo Trier: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 4-for-11 shooting (1-for-4 on three-pointers)
  • Tim Hardaway Jr.: 30 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 9-for-23 shooting (4-for-12 on three-pointers)
  • Kevin Knox: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4-for-9 shooting (3-for-6 on three-pointers)
  • Mitchell Robinson: 7 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 3-for-4 shooting

Friday’s group not only played better in the box score, but they appeared faster than the previous groups. Attribute this to the first starting lineup with just one big man, due to Knox’s presence one spot up in the frontcourt.

Trier, someone who consistently pushes the ball to the hoop, helped this, as well. He entered this game with a low 94.2 pace, but is the rare Knick to create his own shot.

Defensively, despite the question marks with most of the second group, they held the Pelicans to just 16 points in the first quarter. Especially when Robinson rested, it fall-off was apparent. That mostly happened with Enes Kanter, who played just 15 minutes and struggled to contain New Orleans’ bigs.

Look for this five to receive a longer look together. They played one of New York’s most competitive games of 2018-19, and against a potential playoff team that hosts an MVP candidate.

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The New York Knicks may still not win many games, but if they play as hard as they did in the Bayou, it makes them an interesting young team to watch grow, beginning with the starters.

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