New York Knicks starting lineup: Locks, fringe, and potential break-ins
By Chip Murphy
The New York Knicks have a new head coach and a lot of roster turnover from last season, so the starting lineup is still unclear.
The New York Knicks made necessary changes following their seventh straight season without a playoff appearance. President Leon Rose hired head coach Tom Thibodeau who surrounded himself with a group of elite assistants.
Thibodeau’s comments on the rotations for the upcoming season have been loaded with coach speak. It’s led to speculation he might lean toward a more veteran-laden rotation despite his rebuilding situation in New York.
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Thibodeau is notorious for his rapport — or lack thereof — with young players following an unsuccessful stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Given what’s happened in Minnesota since Thibodeau’s departure, maybe he doesn’t deserve so much hate.
Thibodeau told SNY’s Ian Begley that he hasn’t settled on a starting lineup, rotation, or finishing lineup. That’s normal at such an early juncture — especially right now.
But in this case, Thibodeau will likely lean more on veteran additions like Alec Burks, Austin Rivers, and Nerlens Noel. There is no Karl-Anthony Towns on this squad. There’s not even an Andrew Wiggins.
If there’s one thing Thibodeau’s been clear about, it’s that he wants his guys to compete for minutes. After two years of being coddled by David Fizdale and Mike Miller, some competition sounds like a good thing for these young Knicks to go through.
Like most teams, the Knicks have locks, fringe and potential break-in candidates for their starting lineup. We did a breakdown of each group.