The New York Knicks open their 2018-2019 tonight at Garden against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 pm. Â Yesterday, Coach Fizdale announced the starting lineup and shook things up a bit. Â The lineup consists of Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Frank Ntilikina, Lance Thomas and Enes Kanter.
Fans were a bit stunned that Frank Ntilikina got the starting nod, after only starting one pre-season game, over 1st round draft pick Kevin Knox.  Knox did fall off during the pre-season after coming in hot in the Vegas summer league.  His shooting went way down in the pre-season, 16 for 49 from the field, and since he’s still growing and coming into his own, it makes sense to start Frank.  Also, Coach Fizdale is using this “as a spark†for Knox to re-ignite his game from Vegas.
Starting Frank over Knox was the right call. Â This is exactly what should happen. Â It represents the continuation of the Knicks culture change. Â Fans wanted Frank to start, therefore, Fizdale is backing the youth culture change. Â Even if they went with Knox, the youth movement would still continue. Â However, starting Frank shows that the organization believes in him after drafting him 3 years ago.
We, as fans, are all excited to see what the Knicks will bring to the Garden on opening night and we know it’ll be rocking.  Besides Knox, fans are excited to see Mithcell Robinson, Trey Burke and Allonzo Trier, to name a few.  I know I’m especially excited for Trier as I have gone all in on him and believe he’ll truly be a steal for the Knicks.  Also, Frank playing small forward is intriguing.  Should be interesting to see how he handles that position, considering he is primarily a guard.
It’s only the first game and the beginning of rough, but exciting, season.  We all know we’ll have ups and a lot of downs, but Knicks basketball has arrived.  Young players, a new coach and a new outlook is what we have been waiting for and it’s finally here.  The youth movement and culture change officially begins tonight in the Big Apple.