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The New York Knicks don’t figure to stand much of a chance in their matchup with the defending-champion Golden State Warriors Friday night, so this could be a good time for head coach David Fizdale to get experimental with his lineups. But I don’t think anybody predicted the kind of starting lineup David Fizdale is said to be considering. Per Ian Begley:
One Knicks starting lineup under consideration for Friday’s game against GSW, per sources: Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr., Damyean Dotson and Lance Thomas with Noah Vonleh or Mitchell Robinson at center.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 26, 2018
OK, so the first move—swapping out Trey Burke for Damyean Dotson—is fairly obvious. Dot has been a revelation over the past few games, whereas Burke has struggled mightily outside of a red-hot third quarter against the Bucks. Moreover, Dotson has size, defensive intensity, and rebounding chops that the team could sorely use.
The big surprise here would be bunching Enes Kanter. who is currently averaging 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Perhaps this would be a one-game thing, with Fizdale looking to add switch-ability on D against that deadly Warriors offense.
Even with this report, I don’t believe that Fizdale will remove Kanter from the starting lineup. But I like the idea of keeping players on their toes. Kanter was pretty much unplayable against the Heat. If he keeps up that kind of effort on defense, the Knicks might as well play the younger guys, like Noah Vonleh (who has been excellent) and Mitchell Robinson.
Keep ‘em guessing, Fizdale!
UPDATE:
Whoa...he went even further!
Frank Ntilikina, Tim Hardaway Jr., Damyean Dotson, Noah Vonleh and Mitchell Robinson will start against GSW, David Fizdale says. https://t.co/aiaACmwfyG
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 26, 2018