The New York Knicks started somewhat on the right path when it came to drafting talent. In free agency, they were able to add a solid combination of youth and veteran players. It was clear that they were on the right path to build something.
However, of recent, it appears to be very unclear the direction Mike Miller and the organization wants to take. Do they want to begin to develop their youth for the future? Or, do they want to continue playing veteran players when the playoffs are out of reach. The Knicks currently sit 7 games out of the 8th seed.
For the moment, it seems like the Knicks are content with playing the veterans over the young players. They’re 12-32 on the season and that’s with mostly playing the older guys. That should be a sign that the year is lost when the vets aren’t performing. It’s time to play the kids.
The only thing the organization is going is making their fans more angry. They’ve been angry since 2013, the Knicks last playoff appearance. Continuing to play the older players is this meaningless game is only adding fuel to the fire.
We’ve seen this story before with the Knicks and it’s extremely frustrating. One example, Jarrett Jack. He played over Frank Ntilikina and Daymean Dotson in 2017 which stalled their development. A lot of that can be said about this year too.
Taj Gibson is starting over Mitchell Robinson. Reggie Bullock is starting over Daymean Dotson. Elfrid Payton, while young, is starting over Frank Ntilikina. But Ntilikina brings more defense to the table which is a struggle for this team. And Kevin Knox’s minutes are never enough.
Also, Marcus Morris, 30-years-old, is the Knicks leading scorer but due to his age it’s unlikely he’s in their future plans. Those ‘future plans’ are very blurry.
The New York Knicks need to figure out what’a best for their future. As of right now, playing veteran players over the younger ones doesn’t seem to serve a purpose. They’re taking way minutes and any future strides they might make. It’s not their fault, it’s the coaching and the front office to blame.