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For the first 10 games of the season, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau kept the same starting lineup, which is testament to his belief in the quintet and the group’s ability to avoid injury.
It is believed the Knicks haven’t had the same starters for the first 10 games in at least 20 years.
The starting streak ended Monday in Charlotte, as did any semblance of a good start to the game.
Reggie Bullock, who was the Knicks’ rock of a starting shooting guard, fell with hip pain and was scratched. Thibodeau picked Austin Rivers to slip into the role of Bullock and the Hornets sprinted to 10-0, 19-5.
When Thibodeau turned to Immanuel Quickley and Kevin Knox on the bench, the Knicks rallied, although they ultimately suffered a 21-point loss. Knox finished with 19 points, hitting 5 of 12 3 points.
Bullock is expected to miss Wednesday’s game against the Nets. Is it finally time for Knox to start at the little striker alongside the icy RJ Barrett?
The Knicks have been brutal from 3 points (24 for 85, 28 percent) during their three-game losing streak.
With 3-point sniper Alec Burks healing a sprained ankle, Knox could be an elixir to help heal the away shooting crisis that helped bring the Knicks down to 5-6.
Knox started much of his rookie season in 2018-19, but when Marcus Morris was signed as a free agent in July 2019, Knox returned to the bench – and he stayed there even after Morris was traded last February.
Last season, Knox started just four of 56 games after starting 57 of 75 games as a rookie.
Knox is now posting a career-high 40% on a 3-point range and averaging 7.9 points in 21 minutes.
Knox also has a history with the other four starters who played for the squad last season. (Mitchell Robinson is Knox’s best friend on the team).
Rivers played well with the reserve crew and hadn’t started before. He may have referred to himself when he said the team chemistry was bad, even though most of the rotation were returning players.
“Our chemistry isn’t there yet, we’re still building,” said Rivers, who missed the entire preseason and the first four games. “That’s why I say be patient, because I know it will only get better. I haven’t had training this entire season. My first time playing with the team was against the Raptors [on Dec. 31]. So I’m still finding out.
It may be wise to continue to find it on the pine.
Taj Gibson, last season’s starting center and Thibodeau’s favorite, will be available to face the Nets after passing COVID-19 protocols. Although sources say he is in good shape, it is not known if he will play without team training.
Gibson was signed last week to help deepen the front and cut down on Julius Randle’s heavy minutes. Against the Hornets, an exhausted-looking Randle finally had his first game, scoring just 11 points and committing four turnovers.
But his stats across 11 games shouldn’t be ignored. Randle joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to record at least 200 points, 115 rebounds and 70 assists in their team’s first 11 games.
Last season, the Knicks and Nets went their separate ways for all four regular season games.
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