What To Watch For In New York Knicks’ Matchup With Toronto Raptors October 13th
Apr 11, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Amar
The New York Knicks were able to pick up their first win of the preseason Saturday in their second try against the Boston Celtics. They will take the court at Madison Square Garden for the first time this season Monday night against the Toronto Raptor in their third preseason game. Here are a couple of things to keep an eye on as Derek Fisher continues learning the ropes of being a NBA head coach.
-Rotation
Through two games the constants in the starting lineup have been Jose Calderon at point guard, Carmelo Anthony at small forward and Samuel Dalembert at center. The other two starting spots have been occupied by a different player in each game; will the same happen against the Raptors?
With Andrea Bargnani sidelined and Iman Shumpert returning to the lineup, Quincy Acy and Shumpert were inserted in the starting lineup with J.R. Smith heading back to the bench. It is only the preseason, but everyone looked more comfortable the second game compared to the first.
One interesting DNP from the second game was Travis Outlaw, who was expected to soak up minutes at small forward behind Anthony along with rookie Cleanthony Early. Early got into the game, but didn’t with Shumpert returning to the lineup. Could this be a sign of things to come?
Whoever gets the backup point guard minutes is also something to watch. Shane Larkin and Pablo Prigioni are two totally different players and could see their minutes fluctuate throughout the season depending on matchups. This is something to keep an eye on Monday night and throughout the rest of the preseason.
Fisher will have his hands full attempting to juggle a rotation with plenty of players that can make cases to get playing time.
-Development of Triangle Offense
It is a work in progress, but the offense looked much better in game two than game one. But was it the traditional triangle offense that is being implanted?
In the second game the Knicks offense clicked more, but there was plenty of more isolation being done. In game one the Knicks assisted on 20 of 28 makes; game two it was only 17 assists on 41 makes. They won the game, but there is definitely more work to be done.
Turnovers also need to be lessened. It is preseason and players are getting run with teammates they will not be playing with during the regular seasons, and mistakes are bound to happen, but cutting back on the turnovers needs to happen. The Knicks have turned the ball over 37 times in two games, a number way too high even for exhibitions.
-Continued Progress on Defense
Under Mike Woodson the Knicks did a lot of switching on defense, often too much and putting themselves at a disadvantage with the opposing offense having mismatches. Under Fisher, the defensive schemes are changing, as Fisher is attempting to use a system that pushes opposing offenses more towards the sidelines and with less of an emphasis on switching.
Switching is a tactic that will work when used sparingly, but not as the main principal of the scheme. Under Fisher the Knicks principals will be different and something worth keeping an eye on.
In interviews Fisher has said that he will be a defensive minded coach, something that caught the attention of media members and fans alike because of the roster he has been given. The highest paid, biggest name players are not known for their defensive prowess, but if put in the right position to succeed any player should be able to play defense, or at least give the effort necessary.
Dalembert has been strong protecting the rim thus far, blocking three shots in each game. With Shumpert, arguably the Knicks’ strongest perimeter defender, in the lineup they locked up on the defensive end a little more. It will be worth keeping an eye on as the Knicks try and break habits from their old coaching regime and learn the nuances of the new one.