New York Knicks: Projecting the 10-man rotation to open the season
Training camp and preseason will allow the New York Knicks to construct a rotation for opening night. Which 10 players should be involved?
New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale will have his hands full this year juggling everyone’s minutes. Whether it’s figuring out who starts at small forward between Kevin Knox and Marcus Morris, deciding who will take the most minutes off the bench, or who starts at the guard spots, Fizdale will have his work cut out.
So, by opening night, how could a 10-man rotation look for the Knicks, pending Fizdale keeps it that low?
Point Guards
Dennis Smith Jr. – Prediction: 33 minutes, 16.5 points, 6.5 assists, 4 rebounds, on 48 percent shooting and 34 percent on three-pointers
Expect Dennis Smith Jr. to take a major jump this season. He has been working his tail off all summer; his hitch in his shot seems to be gone; and if his shot improves to near-league average next year, expect his game to take that next step as his finishing ability and first step are already elite.
Add his slowly, yet steadily improving playmaking, decision making, ball handling, and defense and this stat line and efficiency shouldn’t be asking too much of a guy with his potential.
Elfrid Payton – Prediction: 18 minutes, 7.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1.5 steals on 44 percent shooting and 33 percent on three-pointers
While Elfrid Payton should have superior stats to this, there is only one ball, and with this many players that can create their own shot better than him, chances are, the veteran guard will be more of a playmaking defender who does the little things that help win.
Although if Smith Jr. struggles out the gate, or if Payton’s outside shot looks better than his positional mate in preseason and practice, don’t be surprised if Smith Jr. becomes the sixth man and Payton starts. Heck, after FIBA, don’t be surprised if even Ntilikina starts.
The Knicks need shooting, and since Smith Jr., Ntilikina, and Payton are all below average shooters, perhaps the best shooter starts from Day One. One thing is for sure though: the training camp battles for who starts at the guard spots will be intense.