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Here is Mike Woodson's latest attempt to prevent the Knicks from falling behind double digits minutes into a game:
#Knicks starters: Felton, Smith, Shump, Melo, Bargnani
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) November 13, 2013
Starting J.R. Smith for the first time since 2011-2012 after he looked totally out of sorts in his first game would not be my top choice for a new first unit, especially not at the expense of Pablo Prigioni, but we'll see how it goes. All that lineup needs to do is hit open shots, win the turnover/rebound battles, and contain Jeff Teague, and they'll be okay.
As far as containing Teague goes, there is this:
#Knicks head coach Mike Woodson hinted at using some zone D if teams utilize a lot of high pick-and-rolls
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) November 13, 2013
Not sure that first unit can muster a decent zone, so perhaps it'll wait for later lineups.
Meanwhile, Kenyon Martin's grumbling (and Tyson Chandler's injury, and losing a lot) may have overturned the Knicks' plan to limit his minutes:
Woodson said Kenyon will play tonite and hopes to have him again tomorrow vs. Rockets
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) November 13, 2013
Woodson said he'd talked w Kenyon Martin abt playing both tonight & tomorrow, since tm has bigger opponent (Howard & Asik w HOU) on Thursday
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) November 13, 2013
Woodson on KMart: "If I can keep him to around 15 tonight, maybe he'll have a little left in tank tomorrow (for Dwight)."
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) November 13, 2013
Mike Woodson is flailing. I hope he stumbles upon something effective eventually. For now, I'm just happy I can look forward to a new game instead of dwelling on what happened Sunday.