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The New York Knicks were foolish to take Kemba Walker out of the rotation

By Jack Simone

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-91. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 21: Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks reacts against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-91. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Kemba Walker
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 21: Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks in action against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-91. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks picked up a huge win on Christmas yesterday, taking down the Trae Young-less Atlanta Hawks. Despite this, they still have some ground to make up in the East.

New York sits at 15-18 on the season, good for 12th in the Eastern Conference. After a relatively hot start, they plummeted back down to earth.

In response to this poor play, Tom Thibodeau decided to take Kemba Walker out of the starting lineup. Not only that, but he was removed from the rotation entirely.

What a terrible decision that turned out to be.

Kemba Walker should have never been removed from the New York Knicks rotation

Since returning to the starting lineup, largely due to the New York Knicks’ issues with COVID and players entering health and safety protocols, Kemba Walker has been on fire.

He’s averaged 26.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists while shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three-point land.

This included a triple-double against the Hawks on Christmas, as well as a massive 44-point performance against the Washington Wizards the other night.

Walker went from not playing at all for over two weeks to averaging over 40 minutes per game since December 18th. Needless to say, Thibodeau realized his error fairly quickly once Walker got another chance.

The Knicks have been struggling on both ends of the floor, and the overall theory was that by removing Walker from the lineup, their defense would improve.

The New York Knicks have been terrible when Kemba Walker doesn’t play

Well, unfortunately for them, that wasn’t the case. Their numbers stayed relatively the same, and in the games Walker sat out, New York went 1-7.

In total, this season, the New York Knicks are 14-10 when Kemba Walker plays and 1-8 when he doesn’t. Why he was ever out of the rotation in the first place is mind-boggling.

It’s pretty clear that Walker has earned his spot in the rotation back, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to lose it again any time in the near future.

While the Knicks still have some things to figure out, there’s one thing they should know for sure – Kemba Walker deserves playing time.

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