I understand that mix and match lineups and everybody gets to start for extended stretches (and not just in their hometowns a la Larry Brown) is unconventional and generally frowned upon. But I've liked it -- think it's been useful, interesting and fun.
The only ones who didn't play much were Courtly & Lance, and other than trying to raise their trade value, there was no reason to play such decent vets much. Noah another vet who was unwanted, though that largely predated Fiz and was apparently for different reasons.
Franc's main problem has been poor play. And some minor dings. And of course we've had Mud/Burke and now Jr. Smith/Mud and Franc hasn't beaten anybody out. While the SG slot has had a lot of guys competing hard.
Knox has been given a ton of minutes and ops and has been up and down like most rooks. KK had a terrific Dec. and a stretch where he was really good in 1Q's. Hopefully all this experience pays off down the road.
Dot, Mitch, Vonleh, Trier have all done well.
Zonja hasn't. Kornet has been interesting. Started as a sharpshooter, but has morphed into a pretty good interior defender.
Generally speaking, mix and match lineups make a lot of sense when the coach has a philosophy of playing hot-hand lineups. That can be very much fun as players truly compete and complement each other's play.
My favorite instance of this happened when the Yankees after a decade of drudgery were putting together Munson, Lyle, Rivers and that gang of players who in their formative years really showed the spark of something special.
I find the Knicks games unwatchable because I see no such sparks. Every game provides a statistical standout or two but the inevitable, conscripted losing is unbearable. The NBA is responsible for this shitshow across the league. And the normalization of disingenuous "we really are trying to win" rhetoric is simply teaching kids that adults are all full of sh@t.
If there every was a year to introduce a system and stick to it hell or high water, this was it. I don't care if we sign five FAs all of whom are great - I don't see a systematic foundation for playing any kind of even "let's pretend"
the right way.
We have drifted a long way from Kansas without heart, a brain, or a lucky charm.
I also disagree on Franc. His play is predictably immature for good reason - he's a freakin' kid. Same deal with most of our roster. No amount of diet or conditioning is going to change that. That said, Fizdale has done nothing to mold these guys in a way that they could contribute within their means. And regardless of age, these kids should be working on conditioning day and night - no excuses.
Zonja is the canary in the coal mine. He is an absolutely obvious bust. If he sticks around longer than having the time to clean out his locker then we need to start asking for Fizdale's replacement. The ship be stinking.
Poll
