New York Knicks: Five New Year’s resolutions for 2019

As the New York Knicks enter 2019, how can they look to perform in the new year?

The New York Knicks have embarked on an interesting 2018, which combined the second half of 2017-18 and the first half of 2018-19. The results did not prove spectacular, but they still have prospects to look forward to in 2019.

Welcoming a new year always means New Year’s resolutions. These can present goals to strive for or ways to change for the better.

It even applies to the Knicks, who are in for another intriguing season in 2019. What should be their New Year’s resolutions for 2019?

5. Find a starting lineup that works for the rest of the season

New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale has tinkered with the starting lineups since opening night. He entered the season with Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Frank Ntilikina, Lance Thomas and Enes Kanter. Now, just Hardaway remains a fixture among the starters; everyone else was benched or out via coach’s decision.

The starters have changed multiple times per month since. Fizdale has every right to adjust the lineups, but at some point, will he finalize a group of five to stick together, even amid losing?

Hardaway Noah Vonleh and Emmanuel Mudiay seem like fixtures. Kevin Knox‘s torrid December might have placed him with those two. However, Kanter was recently subbed out for Luke Kornet, which lasted in the final games of 2018.

Is Kornet over Kanter permanent? Maybe so. Maybe not. Mitchell Robinson could factor in, as well, once he returns from injury.

As center becomes finalized, the Knicks can sustain a starting five that develops chemistry and maybe closes this season on a higher note, rather than long losing streaks and a struggle to cross double-digit wins. It would be a positive for stability, even if just for the final three-plus months of the season.