Q to the Bench
It took long enough but now, according to Newsday, Mike D’Antoni has 
decided to move Quentin Richardson to the bench and seemingly out of the rotation. It could be permanent.
“…The 6-6 veteran recorded his first DNP of the season in Saturday’s 120-115 loss in Miami and it’s something that could be a trend as D’Antoni commits the starting shooting guard spot over to newcomer Larry Hughes and commits playing time for rookie Danilo Gallinari. D’Antoni yesterday carefully made sure to laud Richardson, who has played various roles at guard and forward this season, by saying, “It’s nothing that he did, he’s been great.”
But D’Antoni couldn’t deny the reality of the situation, which is that it is more important for the franchise to get quality minutes out of Gallinari and second-year forward Wilson Chandler than to give those minutes to Richardson, who is shooting just 38.1 percent from the field this season and isn’t bringing the defensive stopper ability he had shown in years past. At a listed 235 pounds — though he appears much heavier — Richardson doesn’t have the speed or stamina to keep the pace in D’Antoni’s demanding up-tempo system. There is no denying, however, that he does still bring needed toughness to the game and a competitive spirit.
And the most critical element of all is what has D’Antoni walking on eggshells: Richardson’s leadership role in the locker room, especially among the younger players on the team, such as Chandler and Nate Robinson.
“I cheer for my teammates, I try to support everybody,” Richardson said. “I try to help . . . everybody I can. If I see something out there, that’s what I do…”
It’s hard not to like Q, honestly. He understands the game, turned himself into a halfway decent 3 point shooter. Plus he assumed the role of locker room leader. I also believe Q could have posted up more because of his ability to bully 2 guards. Would have liked to have seen more of that.
This also means that Gallinari will get regular minutes, and I’m all for that.
