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New York Knicks: Early signs from Mike Miller’s coaching debut

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 07: Interim Head Coach Mike Miller and Mitchell Robinson #23 look on during the action between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on December 07, 2019 in New York City. 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 2019 NBAE. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 07: Interim Head Coach Mike Miller and Mitchell Robinson #23 look on during the action between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on December 07, 2019 in New York City. 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 2019 NBAE. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Mike Miller’s first game as New York Knicks coach created a few interesting signs.

Mike Miller, about 24 hours after the New York Knicks fired David Fizdale, took over as head coach for a game against the Indiana Pacers. It marked a quick rise for the basketball veteran, who spent the previous four seasons leading the Knicks’ G-League team and just six weeks as an NBA assistant.

Miller’s first game was a one-point loss to the Indiana Pacers. A missed Julius Randle free throw with .01 remaining cost the Knicks a chance at overtime.

With only 48 minutes on Miller’s resume, what could be evaluated from his debut?

The same rotation—for now

Perhaps the most eye-opening takeaway from his debut, Miller used the same group of players, including the point guard coming up shortly. 11 players were used, which probably won’t happen every night, but the minutes were mostly organized similarly to what Fizdale did.

RJ Barrett, Marcus Morris, and Julius Randle each topped 30 minutes, which was expected. However, Mitchell Robinson came off the bench and played more than the starter, Taj Gibson; Kevin Knox‘s minutes remained below 15; Dennis Smith Jr.’s on-court time barely topped 10 minutes; and Allonzo Trier remained at the end of the bench.

Perhaps this was just for one game, given Miller’s short turnaround from learning he was the interim coach on Friday to leading the team on Saturday. That will become evident once the Knicks start this Western Conference road trip on Tuesday, but there’s one potential change that could happen soon.

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Elfrid Payton tracking towards a bigger role

The offense flowed better with Elfrid Payton, who returned in the previous game from a strained hamstring. If not for that injury, maybe Fizdale’s offense smoothens out and wins him an extra game or two. Nonetheless, the veteran point guard had seven assists to just one turnover in 17 minutes. The team finished with 24 assists, 15 of which came in the first half.

If Payton continues this play, as Marc Berman of the New York Post noted, he could slot into the starting role. It won’t happen yet, but Miller liked what he saw in Saturday’s loss to Indiana:

"“He’s still returning and not total go yet,’’ Miller said after Sunday’s practice here. “He gave us a great lift with that group, started with the second unit, finished with the first unit. Games will dictate those things.”"

Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. also having anemic performances influences this, so there is pressure on them to step up, too.

Ranking the 6 head coaches of the 2010s. dark. Next

Either way, point guard has not changed since the preseason for the New York Knicks; it’s still an unknown.

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