Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Three reasons to keep Luke Kornet in starting lineup

By Rob Wolkenbrod

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 19: Luke Kornet #2 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 19, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 19: Luke Kornet #2 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 19, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
New York Knicks Luke Kornet (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
New York Knicks Luke Kornet (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Luke Kornet entered the starting lineup for the New York Knicks, and it should stick for at least a few games.

A five-game losing streak prompted the New York Knicks to make changes, especially after a Christmas Day loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, who they faced again on Thursday. Head coach David Fizdale returned Frank Ntilikina to the rotation and continued to bench Trey Burke and Mario Hezonja.

However, in the most surprising move of the bunch, Luke Kornet replaced Enes Kanter in the starting lineup, marking just the second time this happened.

Kornet followed through with 23 points and seven three-pointers, while Kornet was ejected from the game after playing just 14 minutes.

While the Knicks lost by double digits, is this a move Fizdale should stick with moving forward?

General changes needed amid losing streak

Before this game, the New York Knicks lost five in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. With that severe of a drought, changes were eventually needed in the starting lineup. Defensive issues plagued it, but with few standouts at this end of the floor for the team, they needed an adjustment.

Is Kornet the answer? Maybe not. Though the Knicks have experimented with different lineups and rotations, only to walk away with nine wins — three of which happened consecutively in November.

Fizdale already tried Kevin Knox in the starting lineup over Mario Hezonja, which has worked. Emmanuel Mudiay seems locked in as the point guard, Tim Hardaway Jr. probably won’t abandon his post and Noah Vonleh has arguably played the most consistent basketball on the team.

Maybe Kornet becomes the latest player to find his spot in the starting lineup. It’s worth a test and if this does not work, Fizdale can continue his changes to find what works.

Given the fluctuant changes of the first two-plus months, it’s likely none of this is the final answer. For now, it’s worth the adjustment to see if the Knicks can win a game in the interim.

Home/Knicks News