ScienceOfLosing wrote:FrozenEnvelope wrote:Deuce is gonna have to take a step and fingers crossed Shamet surprises. Replacing what DVo did here won't be easy.
DVo was good when given 40 minutes. When given bench minutes he was not.
Deuce was solid both ways but plays better defense.
Lastly, it’s looking like DVo was not totally happy here, strange if true.
Deuce probably will come off the bench, where he is superior and cheaper.
I wanted DVo here, but (oddly) the Mikal trade changed things.
To be honest I didn't really see where Duce was getting minutes before this trade. Since we couldn't go long stretches with Randle at the 4 and the organization views Duce as more of a 2 than a point guard, he seemed like he was going to be the guy to get his minutes cut. Now, Duce has a real role on this team.
I think the smart thing to do is to bring Hart off the bench, even though he is likely in the finishing 5 with Brunson, Towns, Bridges, and Anunoby. Frankly, I kind of like Duce in the SG slot.
Brunson-Duce-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns
I think Bridges/Anunoby are better at the 3/4 than the 2/3 and the point of attack and wing defense offsets not having a true rim protector. Plus there is a little more ball handling and shooting in this lineup.
The bench is a concern for sure. I think Kolek and Payne battle it out for the 15 or so MPG that Brunson rests. Hart will get 33-35 MPG as a Swiss army knife between the 3 wing positions. To start the season Precious should get 25 or so MPG, I would assume 15 as the backup big and 10 next to Towns.
Brunson (33)/ Kolek or Payne (15)
McBride (28)/Hart (20)
Bridges (35)/Hart (13)
Anunoby (32)/ Precious (10)
Towns (33)/ Precious (15)
In this breakdown, there are about 6 open minutes which I'm putting at PF (although with Hart it's interchangeable) which could expand by cutting some Duce and/or Precious minutes. I think it will be an open competition between Morris, Shamet and Dadiet for that role as the 9th man. Come playoff time, this 9th man isn't in the rotation. And once Mitch gets back, he takes Precious role - where he could be very valuable in a limited bench role.
The Knicks are actually set up nicely to absorb the injury woes of Mitch. But unless Dadiet develops into a rotation piece, losing OG for an extended period of time is going to be a real issue.
