With Julius Randle out, what will the New York Knicks lineup look like?

New York Knicks: Taj Gibson takes the starting spot

I know it doesn’t really make sense but if you have watched the New York Knicks in the last two seasons, you know to never underestimate Tom Thibodeau’s love for Taj Gibson.

And we love Taj too, but as the scrappy veteran who rallies the team when they need a boost. Not as a part of a frontcourt with Mitchell Robinson to start a game.

Taj has been shooting… though. He actually has a higher 3-point percentage than Obi Toppin this season.

Then there’s the idea of keeping Obi Toppin on the bench because he’s done so well there. Maybe coach doesn’t want to mess with the chemistry he has with Burks and Quickley.

Even still, I am in agreement that starting Obi Toppin should be the move here.

Some of these developmental principles, such as keeping Toppin on the bench because he’s thriving there… it feels like babying him.

Throw Obi into the fire. We only ever have small samples sizes to go by when talking about him and now there’s an opportunity to see if he’s more in the “developmental” stage or if he’s ready for more.

He was a high lottery pick, he’s uber-talented, and he hasn’t had a chance like this yet.

Maybe Obi Toppin is more than just a bubbling prospect who is “flashing”. Maybe he is ready for a prominent role and something north of 20 minutes per night.

We won’t know unless we try it out, and now is the time to see what Obi Toppin is made of.