New York Knicks coach David Fizdale is looking for relentless competition for positions 1-3 on the Knicks. The 4th spot is solidified with an improved electrifying lefty powerhouse power forward Julius Randle. The 5th spot is solidified with shot-blocking, lob catching, and defensive terror Mitchell Robinson. High flying point guard Dennis Smith Jr., and small forward Kevin Knox will have a battle on their hands against others for their respective positions at point guard and small forward. The shooting guard position is up for grabs for the likes of RJ Barrett, Damyean Dotson, and Allonzo Trier. Marcus Morris will be in the mix battling for that small forward spot for sure.
Fizdale’s not granting nods to anybody other than Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. Everybody else is going to have to fight for it in training camp. There’ll be no handouts. If a player gets a starting spot, it will basically mean that player earned it!
David Fizdale is trying his best not to contradict the culture. In this current New York Knick culture of defense and offensive attacking styles, everything is really about “You keep what you kill.” Fizdale wants the young Knicks to have an aggressive killer attitude on both ends of the court and go into training camp trying to kill everything and build a killer instinct past Knick teams wholeheartedly lacked.
When Fizdale got hired back in 2018, he possessed the same mindset heading into last offseason training camp after the impressive Summer League showings from Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, and Allonzo Trier. This season after some decent Summer League showings from RJ Barrett, Ignas Brazdeikis, and an infusion of veteran and star talent, the competition in training camp will be really fierce and mighty.
The starters for the New York Knicks will be battle-tested and ready for war in the open Eastern Conference this upcoming season starting Wednesday, October 23rd in a road game against a cut-throat San Antonio Spurs team looking for sweet revenge on their home floor after being embarrassed during the last meeting in Madison Square Garden back in February 24th, 2018. Will the New York Knicks turn potential into reality and get their first win on the road next season in San Antonio? It surely will be televised.