Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau kept the same starting lineup intact during the first ten games of this season, a testament to his faith in the quintet and the team’s ability to avoid injuries.
It is believed that the Knicks did not start the same ten games in at least 20 years.
The starting series ended Monday at Charlotte, and also a great start to the game.
Reggie Bullock, who was the Knicks’ rock from an initial shooting guard, came down with a sore hip and was scratched. Thibodeau selected Austin Rivers to move into Bullock’s role and the Hornets led 10-0 and 19-5.
When Thibodeau turned to Immanuel Quickley and Kevin Knox from the bench, the Knicks stood together, although they eventually suffered a 21-point defeat. Knox finished with 19 points and hit 5 of 12 three-pointers.
Bullock is expected to miss Wednesday’s game against the Nets. Could it finally be Knox’s time to start with the icy RJ Barrett on the forward?
The Knicks were brutally losing by three points (24-for-85, 28 percent) during their tries.
With 3-point shooter Alec Burks nursing a single sprain, Knox could be an elixir to help cure the slump from the outside shot that dropped the Knicks to 5-6.
Knox started much of his rookie season in 2018-19, but when Marcus Morris was signed as a free agent in July 2019, Knox went back to the bench – and he stayed there even after Morris was traded last February.
Last season, Knox started just four of 56 games after starting 57 of 75 games as a rookie.
Knox now shoots a best 40% career from the three-point series and is up 7.9 points in 21 minutes.
Knox also has history with the other four rookies who played in last season’s squad. (Mitchell Robinson is Knox’s best friend on the team).
Rivers has played well with the reserve staff and has not started before. He was possibly referring to himself when he said that chemistry in the team has been eliminated, although most players return.
“Our chemistry is not there yet, we are still building,” said Rivers, who missed the preseason and the first four games. ‘That’s why I say, be patient, because I know it’s just going to get better and better. I have not had one exercise all season. My first time playing with the team was against the Raptors [on Dec. 31]. So I’m still figuring it out. ”
It may be wise to continue to figure it out from the pines.
Taj Gibson, last season’s starting center and a favorite in Thibodeau, will be available to face the Nets after passing COVID-19 protocols. Although sources say he is in form, it is unclear whether he will play without a team practice.
Gibson was signed last week to help deepen the forecourt and reduce Julius Randle’s heavy minutes. Against the Hornets, an exhausted Randle finally scored his first playoff game, scoring just 11 points and converting four times.
But his statistics through 11 games should not be ignored. Randle joined Oscar Robertson as the only player in NBA history to score at least 200 points, 115 rebounds and 70 assists in their first 11 games.
Last season, the Knicks and Nets split the four games in the regular season.