New York Knicks: Move to bench a learning experience for rookie class

The latest lineup change from New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale placed all three rookies on the bench.

Frequent lineup changes have become a theme for the New York Knicks. As head coach David Fizdale tries to find what fits and what doesn’t, it has inserted and removed most of the roster from the starting group.

Each of New York’s rookies — Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Allonzo Trier — were involved in the movement. Knox and Trier started a combined five games, while Robinson went 12 consecutive in the lineup.

However, Fizdale replaced them with Mario Hezonja, Enes Kanter and Noah Vonleh in the Nov. 18 matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. The kids dealt with foul trouble, as veteran teams exposed them defensively — contributing to consecutive blowout games.

Fizdale sees the move as the latest aspect of this developmental season and likes the results so far.

“What I learned also is young guys, when they were getting those early fouls, it was making the game really choppy for them and they couldn’t really get into a rhythm,” said Fizdale. “Bringing them off the bench now, they can see the game happening in front of them and go in with a feel for how the game’s being officiated and, if they get two fouls, so what?”

Foul trouble has stood out for Robinson, who entered Friday with seven games of at least four fouls. Since moving to a reserve role, though, the 20-year-old center has nine total blocks.

Fouls are still a factor for Robinson, but Fizdale has him in a looser, lower-profile role than before to establish confidence.

“A little more clarity. He can play a little more reckless,” said Fizdale before the game. “He’s not trying to foul. He can just go out there and play the game without foul trouble. Hopefully that can continue to build his confidence from a defensive standpoint.”

Robinson played to that mantra early. He took three fouls in the quarter and sat for all of the second and into the third. Stuffed between was a block on Anthony Davis and a wide-open alley-oop, which sent Madison Square Garden into a raucous.

The coup de grace was a flagrant foul — extending his foot as Nikola Mirotic attempted a shot. Only to follow with another lob finish. He eventually picked up a sixth and final call.

Knox struggled to see the floor, though. Like Robinson, he picked up three quick fouls. He finished with five points on 2-for-6 shooting in nine minutes.

Above all was Trier. Delivering a much-needed 25 points with Tim Hardaway Jr.’s lowest night of the season, his shooting touch existed from all parts of the court.

“I think we’ve just been growing,” said Trier on New York’s performance after the game. “(We are) Starting to understand each other better. Starting to understand the things that we need to do in order to close out games. I think it’s the little things, the attention to detail things that we were better at tonight that led to us winning.”

Fizdale alluded to sticking with the Hardaway-Emmanuel Mudiay-Mario Hezonja-Noah Vonleh-Enes Kanter after the game, so Trier’s night might not place him in the starting lineup, for now.

Even with Trier as the long standout from the rookies Friday evening, the future is bright for the trio. They will be around throughout the season, with the positives and negatives that accompany players so early into their careers for the New York Knicks.