New York Knicks, how would you use this team?

[xmuscularghandix]

Projected rotation:

STARTERS
PG Raymond Felton
SG Kelenna Azubuike
SF  Danilo Gallinari
PF  Amare Stoudemire
C   Eddy Curry (yikes)

BENCH
PG  Toney Douglas
PF   Ronny Turiaf
PF   Anthony Randolph
SF   Billy Walker
SF   Wilson Chandler
C    Timofey Mozgov


Analysis:
This team will be fun to watch and will probably make the playoffs around the 6th seed.

Felton is very underrated and already has a little familiarity with Stoudemire and D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense.

Almost everyone on this team has experience with either The Suns, Warriors, or Knicks. So the offense will come easy.

They definitely need another Center. Maybe Timofey Mozgov will be a catch for them, we’ll see.

First round exit, which will be a huge boost for a team that has been really bad. Then it’s ‘Melo or bust.

[Lucky17]

I look at that lineup, and think it's the Eastern Conference version of Golden State. Will they be able to hold opposing teams below 100?

I also think it's a lottery team.

[RJ87]

That's not a terrible team, but they need a center for sure.

[LarBrd33]

amare will play C... start Randolph at PF (who could be most improved player).  Still a lotto team, though.

[RJ87]

amare will play C... start Randolph at PF (who could be most improved player).  Still a lotto team, though.

That's an interesting thought. That'd be a crazy fun offense to watch, but like you said - still a lottery team at the end of the day.

[rkls134]

amare will play C... start Randolph at PF (who could be most improved player).  Still a lotto team, though.

That's an interesting thought. That'd be a crazy fun offense to watch, but like you said - still a lottery team at the end of the day.

Walsh said he plans on re-singing Earl Barron to play C, and they traded for Mil C they drafted in the second round.

[Assassin70]

They are a better team then last year, but not close to a legit contender

[xmuscularghandix]

I wish we’d sign Earl Barron.

[Atzar]

amare will play C... start Randolph at PF (who could be most improved player).  Still a lotto team, though.

Yeah, that's what I'd do.  Stoudemire at center, Randolph at PF, let Gallinari just run from 3-point line to 3-point line for transition threes (Knicks don't play D anyway).  Just get out and run - they'll be unbeatable when they're playing against teams that are on the second game of a back-to-back, just like the Warriors were last year.

[Who]

(1) Anthony Randolph is the franchise. He is the big hope for the future. He needs minutes and he needs touches and he needs shot attempts. The team needs to be setup to help his development.

(2) Consequently, Randolph + Amare should be the starting big men. Turiaf and Mosgov are the backup big men. D'Antoni likes a short rotation so Turiaf is the one who should likely get regular rotation minutes and Mosgov be used as a deep reserve.

(3) Felton should start at the point. I can see him putting up 16 and 8 next year. Then he should be used as a trade asset in the offseason. Douglas is his backup.

(4) Chandler and Gallinari should start on the wing because they are the Knicks next best prospects. Azubuike should be their main backup. Bill Walker would be next in line but not a regular rotation player.

[Michael Anthony]

Projected rotation:

STARTERS
PG Raymond Felton
SG Kelenna Azubuike
SF  Danilo Gallinari
PF  Amare Stoudemire
C   Eddy Curry (yikes)

BENCH
PG  Toney Douglas
PF   Ronny Turiaf
PF   Anthony Randolph
SF   Billy Walker
SF   Wilson Chandler
C    Timofey Mozgov

Turiaf starts at center, like Kurt Thomas did with Phoenix, and Chandler starts at small forward, like Marion in Phoenix. Azubuike can knock down the three, so he should thrive at shooting guard.

Gallinari and Randolph are a problem because both are best as power forwards. One of them needs to be traded. Gallo cannot defend anyone, but D'Antoni loves him. Randolph is probably two years away, he more trade value, and will frustrate D'Antoni - I say he makes a really attractive trade package with Bill Walker and Curry's expiring deal.

Not sure who they target, but if the Nuggets think Carmelo is leaving do they pull the trigger? What about Richardson if Phoenix nosedives? Joe Johnson?

Douglas backs up the point, Mozgov is the fourth big

[StartOrien]

I'd start Turiaf, and have Randolph be the 6th man. I like his flexibility to play 2 positions off the bench (maybe even 3 in D'Antoni's system).

[LarBrd33]

They might just play Randolph at center, actually.  Diantoni likes playing versatile undersized big men at the "center" spot.  The Suns had a lot of success starting Boris Diaw as "center", for example.

But i think you're fooling yourself if you think they will start anyone other than Randolph and Amare at the big men spots.

Also... the consensus with Knicks fans is that they would start Wilson Chandler at SG even though he's not a SG.  So that would make the lineup...

PG - Felton
SG - Chandler
SF - Gallo
PF - Amare
C - Randolph

That is the best 5 on that team... so i could see it.

[Snakehead]

They might just play Randolph at center, actually.  Diantoni likes playing versatile undersized big men at the "center" spot.  The Suns had a lot of success starting Boris Diaw as "center", for example.

But i think you're fooling yourself if you think they will start anyone other than Randolph and Amare at the big men spots.

Also... the consensus with Knicks fans is that they would start Wilson Chandler at SG even though he's not a SG.  So that would make the lineup...

PG - Felton
SG - Chandler
SF - Gallo
PF - Amare
C - Randolph

That is the best 5 on that team... so i could see it.

Tommy Point.  You have the right idea.  Eddy Curry will not be starting.  This lineup is what you want.  Bring in Curry if you need the body against say a Dwight Howard, but otherwise you use this lineup.  It's undersized a bit at Center (meaning weight and muscle), but they fly up and down the court and can make up for it by being long.

I love Randolph personally.  I think he will excell in the D'Antoni system ala Marion or Diaw on the Suns but I think Randolph will be a much better player in a few years.

Knicks fans have something to look forward to and an exciting team.


EDIT: Forgot about the big Russian they just signed too.  TBH I don't know much about him, but from what I've heard he can finish inside and run pretty well, which is all they really need.  I could see him being a solid guy, maybe coming off the bench.  I still think the Randolph at C lineup is best against almost all teams for them.