2019 New York Knicks Team Season Preview
New
York Knicks 2019-20 Team Preview : Best Potential Lineups and Depth
Chart
Written
By Kyle Crabbe
Follow
on Twitter: @KthetruestKnick
As
the summer gets closer to the beginning of training camp then
Pre-Season play we can begin to predict which players will be
competing for what spots coming into the upcoming season. As the NBA
Off-Season has played out for the most part, now is the time to
anticipate and prepare for the 2019-20 Season upcoming. The New York
Knicks had a off-season that seemed to be full of ups and down based
on the popular narrative and perception around the Knicks franchise,
however the Knicks enter the fresh new NBA season with undoubtedly a
better team.
The
Knicks front office that consist of the leadership from President
Steve Mills and General Manager Scott Perry have outlined a plan to
rebuild the Knicks Franchise to elite status and a future
championship contender. From what Mills and Perry have discussed
throughout the last year-and-a-half of how they would build this
Knicks team up, the year's off-season is the most telling of their
words. Mills and Perry have made it clear this Knicks leadership and
era would build the team with a clear vision and a patient organic
approach.
With
the Drafting of Duke Star Freshman RJ Barrett 3rd Overall
in the 2019 NBA Draft and their biggest free-agent acquisition being
in 24-year old Julius Randle are two main indicators of proof for the
Knicks Front Office this summer. RJ Barrett instantly becomes this
era of Knicks basketball's Foundation Cornerstone. Barrett is a rare
basketball talent that comes around once every 5 to 7 years and is
built to be a dominate basketball star.
The
2019-20 New York Knicks are set up to be a exciting young team that
will take on the identity of Head Coach David Fizdale. The Knicks
team might surprise quite a few basketball fans as their young talent
comes together and competes under Coach Fizdale's stewardship.
With
this article at TrueFan, I will break down the Knicks' Roster
entering the 2019-20 Season and Preview how good the Knicks team
might be in the upcoming NBA Season.
2019-20
Overall NY Knicks Outlook
The
2019-20 New York Knicks feature one if not thee youngest team in the
entire NBA. The Knicks team will for sure take it's bumps throughout
the season but given the environment the Knicks Leadership is
building this can become a very promising season. The Knicks season
will depend on how well their young talent plays as the develop in
the face of the most impatient fans and media market in the NBA.
The
Good news is the Knicks got lucky this off-season and landed the
perfect player to anchor their turnaround as their foundation for
this mountain top tall task. With the 3rd Overall Pick of
the 2019 NBA Draft, the city of New York received their best young
basketball player since Patrick Ewing and RJ Barrett has the chance
to become the best player in Knicks history by the time his career
concludes. Make no dispute about it RJ Barrett is the best prospect
in the NBA draft since Anthony Davis and will undoubtedly have a Luka
Doncic like impact in New York in his rookie season coming up. A
special season from RJ Barrett and a All-Star Season from Julius
Randle combined with the expectations of a elite Defensive Season
From Center Mitchell Robinson and a Progressive Offensive Season from
Kevin Knox could have the 2019-20 New York Knicks knocking on the
Eastern Conference post-season doors. That leads us to the 2020 New
York Knicks biggest question mark; who will be their point guard? And
how good will that Point Guard play and develop this year?
While
it will definitely be fun for Knicks fans all year to see Mitchell
Robinson swatting shots left and right while catching rim-destroying
highlight lobs/dunks, in addition to seeing 2019 Major Summer
Acquisition Julius Randle wow the New York crowd with a display of a
supremely athletic version of 20-10 Stalwart Zach Randolph, as well
as seeing the Knicks newest franchise player RJ Barrett play-make and
do it all like the 1995 Detroit Pistons Grant Hill but the Knicks
destiny will lie in who mans the Point.
Like
last season when the Knicks had 3 good young point guards all looking
to take the starting spot and develop their NBA careers, well the
Knicks are in the same spot this season. With last season being a
duel between Trey Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina this
season also features the aforementioned Ntilikina but he will compete
with guards Dennis Smith Jr,(who was acquired in the Kristaps
Porzingis Trade) and Efrid Payton(former Lottery Pick).
Each
Possible starting point guard brings their own unique skill set that
blends well with the Knicks young core and other talent but each
Point Guard could dramatically differ how the Knicks 2019-20 Regular
Season will play out.
To
briefly give Knicks fans and Basketball Fans more prospective of how
the differing Point Guards could shape the Knicks season, I will
provide a quick outline by historical comparison to NBA teams of the
past.
A)
- IF Dennis Smith Jr is starting Point Guard.
Dennis
Smith Jr is the favorite to be
the Knicks Starting Point Guard for the 2019-20 NBA Season. What
Smith Jr brings to the table is one of the NBA's most athletically
gifted guards of all time. Smith has improved his outside shot and if
he can remain healthy has the potential to be a All-Star level
player. If Smith plays to his potential and the other Knicks young
talent does the same, a Smith led team could look a lot like the
1989-90 Golden State Warriors. This
Golden State Warriors featured the beginning of the infamous trio
dubbed “ Run TMC” of Tim Hardaway Sr, Mitch Richmond, and Chris
Mullin. Dennis Smith Jr has the potential to play like the younger
Hardaway, with RJ Barrett being close to what Chris Mullin would be
and Kevin Knox comparing favorably to Mitch Richmond. The
similarities don't end there as one of the best shot-blockers in NBA
history was coming into his own on this team also in Mante Bol. Bol
here compares very well to Knicks young shot-blocking menace in
Mitchell Robinson. This team went 37-45 and showed great promise and
would be a force in the West starting the very next season. If Dennis
Smith Jr, is to win the starting point guard job and is to play to
his potential, this would be a preview of what the 2019-20 New York
Knicks could be.
B)
- IF Elfrid Payton is starting Point Guard.
Elfrid
Payton was brought in by the Knicks front office to no doubt compete
for the starting point guard position. Payton had some success last
season playing in New Orleans, where he played briefly with Knicks
biggest off-season pick-up in Forward Julius Randle. Payton season
was cut short due to injury and he then became available for the
Knicks to sign in this off-season. What payton brings to the table is
an very good on-ball defender that can be very disruptive and is an
excellent steals creator. Payton is also a solid floor general cut
out of the cloth of say a Rajan Rondo. Payton game is also very
similar to that of former Knicks great Point Guard Charlie Ward. If
Payton is to win the starting job of point guard for the 2019-20 New
York Knicks I believe a team we can comfortably compare the potential
Knicks season to would be the 1994-95 Detroit Pistons.
In this rendition of the Detroit Pistons was lead by Rookie Superstar
Grant Hill who was 22 and young star wing and later became a Knicks
Star 23-year old Allan Houston. The parables from this particular
team would start with RJ Barrett matching up to Grant Hill in draft
selection, elite potential player caliber, and star expectations.
Kevin Knox compares well with Allan Houston as a young second year
scorer that is just a smooth shooter with a versatile offensive game.
Elfrid Payton matches up well with the future starting point guard of
that Pistons team in Guard Lindsey Hunter. There a couple other good
comps from this team in Pistons Stretch 4-Man Terry Mills to that of
Knicks newest signed star Julius Randle for similar ability to score
the ball from outside and muscle up on the inside as well as young
tough bench contributor Big Man from Detroit Oliver Miller is a good
comparison to Knicks 2019 Free-Agent pick-up Bobby Portis. This
Detroit Pistons team went on to only win 28 games and lose 54 but
featured the rare occasion where their Rookie of the Year Grant Hill
also won top votes getter for the All-Star Game and was a All-Star
starter as a rookie. The Knicks could have a similar outcome in 2020
with RJ Barrett.
C)
- IF Frank Ntilikina is starting Point Guard.
Frank
Ntilikina is one of the bigger question marks for the New York Knicks
coming into the 2019-20 NBA Season. Ntilikina has all the skills and
physical gifts to become one of the more effective NBA players during
his career. Ntilikina is a talented basketball player who is already
established himself as a elite on-ball defender in the NBA. If
Ntilikina is to take the next step in becoming a elite two-way player
in the NBA the Knicks could have their back-court secured for the
next decade. Ntilikina's struggles have been understandable
considered he was the youngest player in his draft and skills at this
point in his career have his defensive abilities far more advanced
than his offensive side. Ntilikina by virtue of age and experience
should have a improvement season but the question is how much will he
play and will he secure the Knicks starting point guard position. If
Ntilikina is to win the Knicks starting point guard spot I believe a
team that can be an excellent preview of what this variation of the
Knicks would look like could be the 1990-91 Seattle
Supersonics. At this stage of
his career and given Frank's skillset, Ntilikina favors well in a
comparison to NBA Hall-of-Famer Gary “ The Glove” Payton. Payton
was 22-year's old and in his rookie season which resulted in numbers
of 82 games played, 7.2 ppg, 6 assists per game, and 2 steals per
game. The comparisons with this team get very favorable as you
continue down the 1991 Supersonics roster. We have a 24-year old
Derrick Mckey matching up well in game and stature to Knicks Kevin
Knox. We have the same with 26-year old young shot-blocking center in
Benoit Benjamin comparing to Knicks Rim-Protecting Phenom in Mitchell
Robinson. Even bench players on this early Seattle team match up well
to the 2020 Knicks with players like: 23-year old Dana Barrors the
sharp shooting confident scorer is just like Knicks young guard
Allonzo Trier as well as 24-Year Old Wing 3-and D Sonic's Nate
McMillan favors Knicks young 3-And D Wing Damyean Dotson, in addition
to Sonics solid scorer from the Forward position in veteran Dale
Ellis compares very well in careers and play style to Knicks recent
acquisition of Forward Marcus Morris. The last great comp from this
team to the upcoming Knicks would be from Knicks 2019 Off-Season
biggest signing in Julius Randle to Supersonic's legendary Power
Forward Shawn Kemp, who was 21 at the time. Like Kemp at the time
Randle is coming into his own as a possible dominate Power Forward in
the NBA. This Sonics team shocked a lot of people in 1991 and went
41-41 to make the post-season while having a Top 10 offensive that
season before becoming a dominant defensive team throughout the
1990's leading to a 1996 NBA Finals appearance. Just like this
Sonics' team I believe if the Knicks do start RJ Barrett and Frank
Ntilikina in the back-court this year the Knicks would be a playoffs
team in the Eastern Conference. The offensive-defensive pairing
between Barrett(Offense) and Ntilikina(Defense) could be deadly with
a front-court of Kevin Knox, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. If
Frank Ntilikina is to become the Knicks starting Point Guard for the
2019-20 NBA season this is the type of season you can predict for New
York.
In
general, I believe the Knicks will be a good team that will be
hovering around the 8 to 10 seed in the Eastern Conference all season
but the biggest factor for the Knicks this year is establishing a
identity. Which really means identifying a/the main personality of
the team and following behind/ building a system around that
particular player. Now that player as of right now looks like RJ
Barrett and Barrett is a player who can actual handle that mantle in
New York like few players before him have or few players now can.
In
my opinion if the Knicks reach the full potential the can win around
40 games but a more reasonable prediction will have this Knicks team
wining about 32-34 games and landing another lottery draft position.
However if the Knicks front office this season is to finally follow
their outlined plan of rebuilding patiently this Knicks era is for
certain looking at the beginning of a dominate team throughout the
2020's lead by elite young stars in RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox and
Mitchell Robinson.
True
Fan NY Knicks Off-Season Grade: B-
True
Fan NY Knicks Skills' Grades
Offense: B-
Defense: B-
Chemistry: C
Coaching: B-
Front Office: C
Overall Roster Grade: C+
Guards: C+
Forwards: B-
Centers: B-
2018-19 Team Record: 17 - 65
TrueFan Season Wins Projections
: 32 – 36 Games
Las Vegas Wins Projections: 30.5
Wins
TrueFan Potential Team Season
Awards :
A) First Time All-Star : PF
Julius Randle
B) Rookie of The Year : SG RJ
Barrett
C) Lead Leader In Blocks : C
Mitchell Robinson
D) Most Improved Player : PG
Frank Ntilikina
E) Sixth Man Award : PF/C Bobby
Portis/ SF Marcus Morris
F) All-Defensive 1st
Team : C Mitchell Robinson
2019-20
New York Knicks' Roster
-Point
Guards
A) Dennis
Smith Jr
B) Elfrid
Payton
C) Frank
Ntilikina
D) Kadeem
Allen
Position
Team Grade: C
TrueFan
Position Breakdown Take:
The Knicks Point Guard position hasn't been settled now
for the past recent years. This year the Knicks enter training camp
with three young point guards all in a similar stage in their NBA
Careers. In Dennis Smith Jr, the Knicks have arguably the most
athletic Point Guard in the NBA, but a young player who is still
trying to build a consist game for himself. Smith has as much
potential as any young point guard in the NBA, and if he is able to
secure the starting position with the Knicks can become a reason why
the 2019-20 Knicks actually make the post-season. Smith will be
competing against former lottery pick of the Phil Jackson led Knicks
FO in Frank Ntilikina. Ntilikina is a talented guard who has a
skill-set that can translate to winning basketball but not
statistical domination. What makes Ntilikina a unique basketball
player is he has extremely high basketball IQ, elite defensive
abilities/instincts and is physically gifted for his position.
Ntilikina and Smith Jr will share the starting point
guard competition with former lottery pick, Point Guard Elfrid
Payton. Payton brings a toughness and defensive prowess few young
point guards bring to the table. Payton also has a great opportunity
to realize his NBA potential if he is to win the point guard
competition.
These three guards all have great potential and can
possible make great contributions to the 2019-20 New York Knicks.
-Shooting
Guards
A) RJ
Barrett
B) Damyean
Dotson
C) Allonzo
Trier
D) Wayne
Ellington
Position
Team Grade: B-
TrueFan
Position Breakdown Take:
The Knicks Shooting Guard Position has become very
promising after the draft of Duke Superstar Freshman RJ Barrett.
Barrett gives the Knicks arguably a top 10 Shooting Guard in the NBA
from the first day he plays in the NBA. Barrett has the potential to
be the first Rookie All-Star since the Duke Star he is compared to in
Hall of Famer Grant Hill. Barrett's immense talent, pedigree, and
confidence for the brightest and biggest stages will allow him to
quickly become the face of the Knicks and one of the NBA's upcoming
Superstars.
Barrett might be penciled in as the Knicks Starting
Shooting Guard but the Knicks also have solid 2-Guards on their
roster backing up Barrett. Entering his third season Guard Damyean
Dotson has the potential to become a solid 3-and-D NBA player as he
has the size, athleticism, shooting ability, and work ethic to become
a solid contributor for any team in the NBA.
Next up from the Knicks 2-Guard is the underrated
uber-scorer in Allonzo Trier. Trier was once a highly touted high
school basketball prospect and still is one of the best at putting
the ball in the basket when pitting up against his peers. Trier in my
opinion has the skill-set to become the next Lou Williams or Jamal
Crawford in the NBA as he is a deadly scorer and has the rare
confident mentality to be able to be a consistency great offensive
option in the NBA. Trier gives the Knicks great depth and will be a
good young asset for the Knicks future.
Lastly we have one of the Knicks 2019 Off-season
acquisitions in Wayne Ellington. Ellington is a former NCAA champion
and excellent 3-Point Shooter. Ellington will give the Knicks good
depth off the bench, a veteran presence, as well as a great shooter
that can come in and give productive minutes and effectively spread
the floor.
-Small
Forwards
A) Kevin
Knox
B) Marcus
Morris
C) Reggie
Bullock
D) Ignas
Brazdeikis
Position
Team Grade: C+
TrueFan
Position Breakdown Take:
The Small Forward Position for the Knicks is very good
but not great, yet. How good this group will be will solely depend on
the growth of second year Star Kevin Knox. Knox had a good rookie
season but being the youngest player in the NBA showed as Knox's
dealt with a mild rash of injuries throughout his rookie campaign.
Knox is a knock down shooter with a versatile offensive game who
patterns his game after the great Kevin Durant. Knox will return this
season with more confidence and more opportunities to build a
consistent NBA offensive game.
The Knicks second most spoke about free-agent signing
was that off Forward Marcus Morris. Morris is an established scorer
in the NBA and brings to the Knicks a level of toughness and grit.
Morris is a throwback to players more suited to don the Knicks
uniform in the bruising 1990's. Morris would be a more consistent
contributor for the Knicks at the Small Forward position as the year
starts, so there is a chance coming into the season Morris could be
the Knicks starting Small Forward.
The Knicks also at the Small Forward adding in
free-agency former University of North Carolina Star Reggie Bullock.
Bullock like Wayne Ellington had great collegiate careers and have
carved out nice careers in the NBA as effective 3 and D players.
Bullock will start the year recovering from off-season surgery but
will provide the Knicks veteran locker room presence and well as a
good mentor for the Knicks young bench players such as Damyean Dotson
and Allonzo Trier.
Lastly at the Small Forward position the Knicks have
2019 Second round draft Ignas Brazdeikis from the university of
Michigan State. Brazdeikis is a underrated prospect who has played
and competed with Knicks Star Rookie RJ Barrett on the Canada's Youth
National Team. Brazdeikis brings the Knicks another excellent
basketball player with a versatile skill set and a competitor heart,
drive and toughness. Brazdeikis game can be best described as a poor
man's version of Hall-of-Famer and former St.Johns Legend Chris
Mullin. Brazdeikis might not get a lot of minutes this season but we
can expect “Iggy” to play a major role in the Knicks future.
-Power
Forwards
A) Julius
Randle
B) Bobby
Portis
C) Taj
Gibson
Position
Team Grade: B
TrueFan
Position Breakdown Take:
At Power Forward the Knicks have the strongest position.
Their biggest off-season signing of Julius Randle gives the Knicks
one of the best Power Forwards in the entire Eastern Conference.
Randle will be able to put up numbers that can rival any Power
Forward in the NBA. The signing of Randle helps to replace the major
lost of Franchise Star Kristaps Porzingis. Randle might arguably have
similar level potential and future basketball ceiling as the great
Porzingis was appearing to have in New York.
Randle
is an elite interior scorer with a versatile offensive game. Randle
can shoot the ball for anywhere on the court while having the handle
and playmaking ability to also facilitate in a offense. Randle has
the potential to be an All-Star this year in the Eastern Conference
and can become a deadly pick-and-roll partner for any selection of
Knicks players; especially for the likes of RJ Barrett and Dennis
Smith Jr.
We
can easily see this season where Randle puts up numbers like: 22
Points Per Game, 10 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Steal and 1 Block per
game.
What
makes the Power Forward Position strong for the Knicks is also the
depth they created at the 4. The Knicks also signed Bobby Portis and
Taj Gibson, two solid NBA Power Forwards. Gibson being a 10 year
veteran, he offers the Knicks a presence of experience to a very
young roster. Portis bring a young player who brings a toughness the
Knicks were known for in the 1990's. Portis also has a game similar
to a former Knicks Fan-Favorite Legend in Charles Oakley. Portis is a
good rebounder, tough competitor and excellent mid-range shooter just
like the aforementioned Oak-Man.
The
Knicks have made the Power Forward a strength of the team entering
the 2019-20 NBA season.
-Centers
A) Mitchell
Robinson
B) Bobby
Portis
Position
Team Grade: B-
TrueFan
Position Breakdown Take:
At Center the Knicks really only have young star
Mitchell Robinson. But Free Agent pick-up Bobby Portis has played a
significant amount of time at the Center position in the past two
seasons and we can expect he will play big minutes there for the
Knicks in the upcoming season. The Center position is very strong and
promising for the 2019-20 Knicks because Mitchell Robinson is on the
crusp of becoming one of the most feared Shot Blockers in the NBA
since the great Georgetown trinity of Patrick Ewing, Allonzo Mourning
and Dikembe Mutombo. The player that Mitchell drew the most
comparisons from during his pre-draft process was the player that the
Knicks acquired to mentor last season in DeAndre Jordan. After
playing under the tutelage of Jordan, we saw Robinson take off as a
prominent NBA Center. Looking at Robinson's potential gives the
Knicks a secure piece at the 5 for the foreseeable future. Knicks
fans can expect a excellent season for the second year big man to the
statistical tune of 10-12 Points per game, 9-11 Rebounds Per Game,
2-4 Blocks per game and easily a All-Defensive Teams' Selection at
season's end.
Potential
2019-20 New York Knicks' Lineups
3)
Solid Squad
1st
String - Starters
PG
– Dennis Smith Jr
SG
– RJ Barrett
SF
– Kevin Knox
PF
– Julius Randle
C
– Mitchell Robinson
2nd
String - Bench
PG
– Frank Ntilikina
SG
– Allonzo Trier
SF
– Ignas Brazdeikis
PF
– Marcus Morris
C
– Bobby Portis
3rd
String - Reserves
PG
– Elfrid Payton
SG
– Damyean Dotson
SF
– Reggie Bullock
PF
– Bobby Portis
C
– Taj Gibson
Overall
Lineup Depth Chart
PG
– Smith Jr/ Ntilikina / Payton
SG
– Barrett/ Trier / Dotson
SF
– Knox/ Brazdeikis / Bullock
PF
– Randle/ Morris / Portis
C
– Robinson/ Portis/ Gibson
2)
Good Money
1st
String - Starters
PG
– Elfrid Payton
SG
– RJ Barrett
SF
– Kevin Knox
PF
– Julius Randle
C
– Mitchell Robinson
2nd
String - Bench
PG
– Dennis Smith Jr
SG
– Frank Ntilikina
SF
– Marcus Morris
PF
– Bobby Portis
C
– Taj Gibson
3rd
String - Reserves
PG
– Allonzo Trier
SG
– Damyean Dotson
SF
– Reggie Bullock
PF
– Ignas Brazdeikis
C
– Bobby Portis
Overall
Lineup Depth Chart
PG
– Payton/ Smith Jr / Trier
SG
– Barrett/ Ntilikina / Dotson
SF
– Knox/ Morris / Bullock
PF
– Randle/ Portis / Brazdeikis
C
– Robinson/ Gibson / Portis
1)
Best( Playoffs )
1st
String - Starters
PG
– Frank Ntilikina
SG
– RJ Barrett
SF
– Kevin Knox
PF
– Julius Randle
C
– Mitchell Robinson
2nd
String - Bench
PG
– Dennis Smith Jr
SG
– Damyean Dotson
SF
– Marcus Morris
PF
– Bobby Portis
C
– Taj Gibson
3rd
String - Reserves
PG
– Elfrid Payton
SG
– Allonzo Trier
SF
– Reggie Bullock
PF
– Ignas Brazdeikis
C
– Bobby Portis
Overall
Lineup Depth Chart
PG
– Ntilikina/ Smith Jr / Payton
SG
– Barrett/ Dotson / Trier
SF
– Knox/ Morris / Bullock
PF
– Randle/ Portis / Brazdeikis
C
– Robinson/ Gibson / Portis
TrueFan
Lineup Potential Take:
I view this lineup combination as the best the 2019-20
New York Knicks can potential bring out. I believe the best possible
back-court pairing will be with a Frank Ntilikina-RJ Barrett
match-up. Similar to having a Pat Bevelry-James Harden back-court
that the Houston Rockets recently had this back-court pairing could
have the same devastating effects. For the back-court I believe this
has to be what the Knicks go with if they want to maximize their
chances to win this season coming up. I believe we would see how much
better Ntilikina will perform knowing he is starting and is
guaranteed 30 minutes a night. The size of this back-court would also
be elite, similar to that of the great Chicago Bulls back-court of
the late 1990's with Michael Jordan( 6'6”) and Ron Harper(6'6”);
with Ntilikina being already listed as 6'6”(rumored to have grown
taller) and RJ Barrett who is 6'7”.
I believe this lineup also allows for good balance with
the Front-court. With Julius Randle being an elite pick-and-roll
partner for either Ntilikina or Barrett. Robinson would be an elite
lob catcher from either Barrett or Ntilikina. Knox could become
excellent shooting option and would get plenty of open looks off of
Barrett's playmaking. With Barrett being a offensively dominate
player, it could allow Ntilikina to focus of being a supreme
defensive player and offensively space the court and play off of
Barrett.
Defensively is where I see this lineup being supreme for
this Knicks team. A lineup of Ntilikina(6'6”), Barrett(6'7),
Knox(6'9), Randle(6'9”), and Robinson(7'1”) would have the
ability and the definite advantage to switch 1 through 5. The Knicks
would also sport two of the league's elite defensive players at the
two most pivotal basketball positions at Point Guard and Center. This
combination of Frank Nitlikina and Mitchell Robinson would give the
Knicks the distinction of having one of the best premier defenders in
the league and one of the leagues very best rim protectors. The most
recent combination of this would be with the early 2000's Detroit
Pistons with Center Ben Wallace and Forward Tayshaun Prince( GM Scott
Perry was part of that Front Office) or the 2000's San Antonio Spurs
with Elite Interior Defense for Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan and supreme
wing defender Bruce Bowen. The potential with the two of
Ntilikina/Robinson on the court together is endless.
The possible lineup also offers what I believe would be
an elite bench. With the back-court off the bench being a combination
of Dennis Smith Jr, Damyean Dotson and Allonzo Trier, I believe Smith
Jr can really flourish coming in and being the man of the second
unit. Add Dotson's ability to defend, rebound and shoot the outside
shot very well, putting him and Smith Jr together against second team
back-court could be to the Knicks advantage. I believe Smith Jr's
skill set is more pronounced off the bench on this current Knicks
team because the Knicks already have offensive talents to develop
around in Julius Randle, Kevin Knox, and even rookie RJ barrett.
Also off the bench having the scoring punch of a Marcus
Morris to play with the likes of Bobby Portis the Knicks would have
on of the better second-unit's in the Eastern Conference.
I
believe this unit gives the Knicks the best chance to possibly sneak
into the playoffs with a top 7 Defense and big offensive seasons from
Julius Randle, RJ Barrett and Marcus Morris off the bench. I can see
with a team situated like this under Coach David Fizdale being fast,
tough and aggressive and being able to literally out run other teams
out the gym while making Madison Square Garden very difficult to get
a win at for any opposing teams.
Thanks For Viewing!!!
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