Knicks may start “big” lineup featuring Andrea Bargnani
By Brad Rowland
According to a published report from Peter Botte of the New York Daily News, the New York Knicks could be on the verge of going against the grain in today’s NBA by using a “big” lineup.
Botte indicates that head coach Mike Woodson could be leaning toward getting rid of Pablo Prigioni as a starter, and instead, starting the newly-acquired Andrea Bargnani alongside Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler in the frontcourt this season. On the surface, this looks like a bit of a rogue move, especially considering how bad Bargnani was in Toronto last season, but it also may distinguish New York in a league filled with “small ball” lineups.
The aforementioned Woodson was quoted (by Botte) as saying, “I like the makeup of Andrea and Melo on the floor at the same time with Tyson,” and that may be just the start. Iman Shumpert gives the Knicks a valuable piece in that he’s very versatile between the 2 and 3 positions, and the same could be said for Anthony between both forward spots.
Personally, I would go against any lineup that features Bargnani as a member of the starting 5 in New York, but there is an argument to be made that the best thing to do with the former #1 overall pick is pairing him with an all-defense player like Chandler. In addition, the Knicks don’t exactly have a bevy of options if Woodson refuses to start JR Smith and/or A’mare Stoudemire, and because that option is in play, this deployment seems possible.
This argument won’t be settled until opening night, but the Knicks are already making waves.