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

Stretching the floor unlike other Knicks’ centers

Entering Thursday’s game, the New York Knicks had only started Enes Kanter and Mitchell Robinson at center. Both do not play proficient basketball from behind the arc, acting as prototypical big men around the basket, albeit in different ways.

Kanter has shown some ability to shoot three-pointers occasionally, but Robinson does not take them this early into his career.

So, with Kornet’s addition to the starting lineup, it presents a different aspect for the Knicks at center, which they never tried this season: a seven footer that consistently stretches the floor.

Kornet had at least one made three-pointer in the previous six games, mostly since he became a rotation contributor. In fact, the majority of his shots came from long distance in that stretch (4.0 of 5.2 attempts).

It’s a high number for any player, putting him in range with Davis Bertans of the San Antonio Spurs. However, in the three point-heavy NBA, this works, even if just in spurts.

Can it last in a starting role? Kornet still must prove other parts of his game to ensure that, but he did block a shot for a second consecutive game.

Even if temporary, Kornet provides a unique look for the Knicks. It may not last forever, but as this team struggles mightily, there’s little reason to not see what they have in a player that rarely played from October to mid-December.