New York Knicks: From frontcourt to backcourt, positional log jams in the Garden!

New York Knicks. Frank Ntilikina (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New York Knicks. Frank Ntilikina (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks have a lot of upside sitting on their bench. Unless the wins start rolling in, it might be time to tap into those players’ skills!

So, let’s not get it twisted. The New York Knicks have hit the dog days of a season that looked so promising just three months ago. They are losing to bad teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Chicago Bulls.

So what does that mean?

It’s time to experiment! The Knicks have a lot of really interesting talent that isn’t playing on a nightly basis. It’s widely known that Willy Hernangomez can be a beast when he is unleashed. But with a potential trade coming for Kyle O’Quinn, that could possibly be a cleared up logjam after the All-Star break.

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The big question New Yorkers might be wondering is what’s the deal with the new backcourt logjam? Granted, coach Jeff Hornacek rightfully gave G-League call-up Trey Burke an opportunity to get some revenge on the team that drafted and traded him, the Utah Jazz. But as nice as his upside and scoring knack is, the New York Knicks are still missing a true point guard who will lead into the future.

All roads here are clearly leading to Frank Ntilikina.

True, Jarrett Jack has been sensational but at his age, he is clearly a band-aid for now. The Knicks waived Ramon Sessions in favor of shooting guard Trey Burke. So what’s the deal? Why isn’t Ntilikina getting minutes?

If they aren’t winning, trotting Ntilikina out for at least 25 minutes a night is not only prudent of Jeff Hornacek, it should be demanded. How can this be justified?

At the very least, let the kid get out there, make his mistakes, and learn from them. At 19 years of age, this is truly the only way he can realize his upside and play to his potential in this league.

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Look: we all knew the up-tempo style of play coach Hornacek imbues in his teams when he started his tenure in New York, but there is no reason to pile minutes to shooting guards Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. and not give a look to a pure point guard who the Knicks spent a lottery pick on not six months ago!

There is still a lot of basketball to be played, but unless a first-round playoff exit is the gameplan, it’s time to unleash the Frenchman!