New York Knicks: 3 potential starting lineups in 2019-20
2. The “Defense Wins Championships” lineup
- PG: Frank Ntilikina
- SG: Wayne Ellington
- SF: R.J. Barrett
- PF: Julius Randle
- C: Mitchell Robinson
Despite being a 17-65 team, the New York Knicks were not that bad on the defensive end. They ranked as the ninth-worst defensive team when it came to the number of points they allowed per game, allowing just 1.3 more points than the 51-win Philadelphia 76ers. However, they were the NBA’s 26th-ranked defense according to defensive rating.
Compared to last season, most of the guys that have stayed on the team, appear to be better than average defenders. Frank Ntilikina is one of the best defenders at his spot and could potentially start at times, especially when going up against extremely prolific backcourts.
The starting point guard spot appears to be up for grabs, meaning that if anyone in the point guard trinity takes the next leap, he will be the one that ultimately wins the job.
Perhaps the most exciting one of the bunch is Mitchell Robinson, who turned out to be nothing short of a defensive prodigy last season. Robinson averaged 2.4 blocks in just 20.6 minutes per game.
Throughout last season, Robinson would record at least three blocks on 30 different occasions, out of the total 66 games he played in. Now, with his sophomore season ahead of him, it is very likely that we see Robinson on the court for the tip-off of the season.