If Dennis Smith Jr. was looking to become the New York Knicks starting point guard for the 2019-20 season, he likely should have brought his A-game to the opener against the San Antonio Spurs. Facing off against a quality team, Smith played just 10 minutes, mainly because he heaved up three ill-advised shots, and connected on a drive to the rim.
Smith finished 1-for-4 with one assist in limited action, but his porous shot selection told his ever-lasting story of bad decisions and mental mistakes. With all of the athletic tools to become a bonafide star, he continues to take low-percentage shots and play with a selfish mentality.
This ultimately allowed Elfrid Payton to take the starting job right out from under him, and he did just that in the Knicks’ first game o the year. Playing 26 minutes, Payton was 4-for-9 with 11 points. His primary influence came on defense, though, as he picked up five steals on the night, earning a +14 +/- rating.
Elfrid Payton has actually gotten things moving pretty nicely in his time so far. 4 assists in 6 minutes including this dime to Randle in transition pic.twitter.com/l54Nov4jCA
— Posting and Toasting (@ptknicksblog) October 24, 2019
Payton was the spark the Knicks needed to mount a significant comeback and lead the game by seven at one point. With fatigue setting in, the Knicks allowed the Spurs to storm ahead by double digits late in the game, putting a chance a victory out of reach.
The point guard position battle is looking complete for the New York Knicks:
Head coach David Fizdale started his second season with the Knicks featuring a very peculiar starting five. He virtually dropped a point guard from the lineup and tossed Alonzo Trier out there to do a whole lot of nothing. Trier had zero points on three attempts. He was pulled after just seven minutes and didn’t see the floor after his initial start.
Second-year man Kevin Knox earned more playing time as the game went on, hitting back-to-back three-pointers at one point. He alternated with Marcus Morris a fair amount. Rookie RJ Barrett filled in at the point guard position for a few minutes, given Fizdale’s lack of trust in Smith and Frank Ntilikina, while Payton rested.
Kevin Knox has back to back threes and the New York Knicks' young core has the San Antonio mf Spurs shook pic.twitter.com/atsTpk9fTd
— Posting and Toasting (@ptknicksblog) October 24, 2019
The veteran will undoubtedly star the next game for New York, and it’s well deserved after an impressive performance in the loss.