The New York Knicks starting lineup has not been determined yet. Coach David Fizdale told his players just that, according to Kevin Knox. The starting lineup is still up in the air, as it should be.
The only two players that ‘should be’ locks to start this season are Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. Training camp will then determine the other three starters, if Fizdale would give Randle and Robinson the nod.
According to Knox, the practices have been intense and the team is bonding. They have been playing hard, making each other better while also growing as a family. The team will have to fight for the spots and it appears they are already competing for such spots.
The point guard situation seems to lean towards Dennis Smith Jr. Elfrid Payton has been working to take some of the minutes away from Smith Jr., but it is ultimately Smith Jr.’s job to lose. He has the most potential out of all point guards.
Marcus Morris could start at the 3 position to provide a good balance on offense and defense. He is not going to be a go-to scoring option, but he will provide solid points while being a ‘dog’ on defense. Morris is an above average shooter in the grand scheme of things, 43% career field goal percentage.
With Smith Jr. at the 1, Morris at 3, Randle at 4 and Robinson at 5, who is the shooting guard?
This is a tricky one has the Knicks struggled having a reliable 2 guard since trading away Tim Hardaway Jr., despite questionable shots and a contract.
Rj Barrett is not good shooter to start for the Knicks yet. In time, his shot will improve and he will become a starter for the Knicks. Kevin Knox is too big to play the 2. Morris could get the over nod him, depending on how he continues to improve and develop in training camp.
One viable scoring option at the 2 guard could be Daymean Dotson. ‘Dot’ is one the Knicks best two-way players, despite Randle. When Dotson finally got the start towards the end of the season, he was able to show his scoring capabilities. That was in addition to providing good defensive skills on some of the opponents top play-makers.
The shooting guard will be the toughest position to determine. That position will be played with a lot throughout the season until Fizdale finds the correct fit. Except big battles in training with everyone pushing each other to be better and improve on the league’s worst record last season.