Posting and Toasting: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook

If You Give a Nate a Starting Spot...

...he's going to ask for a glass of milk. Mike D'Antoni's intention to start Nate Robinson tonight are well-documented. The timing of the move is less than ideal, as this apparent admission of point guard troubles coincides far too tastily with Brandon Jennings' first NBA visit to the Garden. Looking past that, though, some questions emerge regarding the immediate future of the rotation:

Is Chris Duhon benched...or shelved?

On top of promoting Robinson to the starting spot, D'Antoni has expressed that he intends to reallocate some minutes to rookie Toney Douglas. With Larry Hughes apparently sprung from his whiskery confinement, that's three guards getting time for a coach who's loathe to play a rotation of more than 8 1/2 men. My impression is that most Knick fans would merrily accept the prospect of Duhon falling from starter to DNP in a matter of two days, but is D'Antoni really that ballsy? That would be a stark turnaround for a player who's been granted an unusually long leash so far this season.

How much Hughes should we expect?

I have a baseless fear that Larry Hughes will move into the starting lineup along with Robinson. That likely won't be the case, but it remains to be seen which tandem will see the most burn: Robinson-Chandler, Robinson-Hughes, or Robinson-Douglas. Robinson-Duhon could be an intermittent possibility as well.

Will TD be allowed to DWTDD?

Toney Douglas hasn't been all that impressive of late, but I refuse to believe that he's been fully allowed to do what he do. Can we expect more than a nominal appearance from Pretty Toney, and will it be as Robinson's backup, or in the aforementioned tandem?

Could this re-energize Danilo Gallinari?

Gallo's been generally less active on offense over the last few weeks, but he, at the very least, found his three-point touch in the second half on Wednesday. If Nate stays committed to the drive-and-kick and continues to beat his man off the dribble, the quality of Danilo's outside looks could see a marked improvement. If Gallinari's going to camp out in the corner, he might as well get some open threes.

Will we ever see Jordan Hill again?

Probably unrelated, but just wondering.

I look forward to Nate Robinson's start and match-up with Jennings tonight. Pray that Nate makes the best of his opportunity. The Knicks' immediate performance and Robinson's ability to receive a contract this offseason both hinge quite a bit on his showing as the lead guard.

0 recs  |  Comment 7 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

my guesses

duhon and hughes both get token minutes, maybe 10-15 each. douglas does not see the floor for more than 5 minutes unless the game gets out of hand.

i don’t know about gallo, but i think it’s safe to assume jordan hill is the odd man out right now.

by latrell chokewell on Feb 5, 2010 2:50 PM EST reply actions  

duhon

it’s hard to imagine that he would fall out of the rotation after starting a game, but i can see it happening. d’antoni and walsh aren’t quite open about their plans with players.
on an unrelated note, i think we’re ultimately gonna have to choose between jonathan “legs” bender and jordan “jordan hill” hill. i know no one wants to offend, but these 2 are battling for that 5-10 minute spot in the rotation.

by enron4515 on Feb 5, 2010 4:29 PM EST reply actions  

My gut impression

based on observing D’antoni this year, would suggest that Duhon is not getting off the bench this evening, and that D’antoni is going to make do with Nate and Larry, and maybe a few minutes of Toney, maybe not.

by fuhry on Feb 5, 2010 4:40 PM EST reply actions  

yea i'm right with you

i don’t think we’ll def see toney douglas. but we are more likely to see p-tone than we are to see duhon. it seems that d’antoni doesn’t make decisions very loosely. he sits on them forever, and when he elects to make a change, he sees it through.

it’s the case with duhon. he believed in the dude for a million years, and he finally heeded the DNR.

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 5, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions  

That was my thinking too

When he’s had enough of a guy, the guy tends to go all the way to DNP, rather than to reduced minute land.

That said, there’s usually redemption waiting on the other end. Someone will get traded, hurt or play like crap and he’ll be dusted off again.

by fuhry on Feb 5, 2010 5:22 PM EST up reply actions  

thats the playerr's coach side of things

seems like he is tough but not unreasonable. he requires that you perform. if you fuck up- what do you deserve??

twitter.com/aighttho
http://aightthen.tumblr.com/

by stingy d on Feb 5, 2010 6:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Posting and Toasting: Blogging the Knicks Robin Hood-Style Since 2007
Start posting about the Knicks »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Mikey15_small
Signing Greatness Vol. 1: A Retired Knick, Who Would It Be?
Johnelwayvortexhowler_small
Doesn't the system make the man?
Gallo_cerveza-logo-ddcc925d1f-seeklogo
Just Say No To Bad Contracts!
74656_kings_warriors_basketball_small
A Thread For Not Paying Attention To Chris Paul's Whiny Ass Right Now
Migdal2_small
A thread for Chris Paul trade proposals.

Recent FanPosts

Mikey15_small
2010-2011 Free Agency: Plan B?
Small
Let's patiently be REALLY EXCITED about Anthony Randolph
Small
Top Players Most Likely Dealt Before the Start of the Season
Mikey15_small
ESPN Negative Lebron Article Mysteriously Vanishes, Here It Is!
Mikey15_small
Knicks Still Pushing For Fernandez
Knicksbigapple_small
Is Amare Stoudemire Jewish?
Gallo_cerveza-logo-ddcc925d1f-seeklogo
Knowledge Reel + Points of Discussion
Mikey15_small
Hornets Prefer To Keep Paul
Hope_medium_small
The Anthony Randolph Study

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS

SBNation.com Recent Stories

 LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat speak after being introduced to fans during a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9 2010 in Miami Florida.  (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

How Good Will LeBron James And The Miami Heat Be In 2011? Hint: Very Good

Lorenzen Wright 
(Getty Images) +7 updates

Lorenzen Wright's Body Found In Memphis, Police Conduct Homicide Investigation

Chris Paul LeBron James

'The Miami Model': Why Greed Is Good, And The NBA's Superteam Era Will Be Great

More from SBNation.com >