Guest Piece: “The Rotation”

by Chris Alvino on August 30th, 2010 at 11:56 pm

The following is a guest piece from avid TKB reader and huge Knicks fan, Jamey Adelson.  Enjoy…

Am I the only one scratching my head pondering what the rotation is going to look like this upcoming season? Considering the numerous moves made this off-season by our “godfather” Donnie Walsh, October 27th can’t come around any time sooner.

As we all know, D’Antoni is accustomed to running an eight-man rotation. This year, I think he’ll HAVE to expand it to at least a nine-man rotation. Why you ask? Looking at this team from top to bottom on paper, with our oldest player being Roger Mason (30), the team frankly has too much potential and depth. You figure Stoudamire, Gallo, Felton, and Chandler and if healthy, Turiaf and Azubuike will get majority of the minutes played. I didn’t even mention Randolph, Douglas, Mason, Walker or Mozgov.

So what are the possible projected rotations that 33rd and 7 will see for half the 2010-2011 season? I’ll give you my top three.

1. C: Turiaf/Stoudemire/Mozgov
PF: Stoudemire/Randolph
SF: Gallinari/Walker
SG: Chandler/Azubuike/Mason
PG: Felton/Douglas

This line-up is lacking rebounding and defense. Turiaf brings that shotblocking presense we’ve been lacking for god knows how long, but we’re small. We’re going to need to find a way to contain the opposition from getting easy buckets inside the paint.

2. C: Stoudemire/Turiaf
PF: Randolph/Stoudemire
SF: Gallo/Walker
SG: Azubuike/Chandler/Mason
PG: Felton/Douglas

With this projected line-up, both our front and backcourt will allow for a “skys the limit” potential and unlimited athleticism. Felton has the speed and handling to run the pick n roll as many times as he wants with STAT. If both become Batman and Robin in that kind of play, Gallo is going to get a lot more open looks, which we know is automatic when he’s wide-open.

3. C: Stoudemire/Turiaf
PF: Randolph/Stoudemire
SF: Gallo/Chandler/Walker
SG: Mason/Azubuike
PG: Felton/Douglas

Obviously the name that sticks out is Roger Mason at the SG position. Call me crazy but the kid can flat out shoot the ball. During the 08-09 season, Mason started 71 of the 82 games played in San Antonio, primarily because of his clutch shooting performances and his 42% from beyond the arc. He only started five games last year but with the emergence of George Hill, it was hard for him to seek any playing time at all. Lets put it this way, if you’re a lifetime shooter of 40% from three point range, D’Antoni is going to love you.

At the end of the day, with whatever rotation the coaching staff puts out there, it’s going to be great to watch them develop and play. Wait a minute, where’s Eddy? He’s not answering his phone again!

Good thoughts and analysis from Jamey.  A player that I tend to forget about is Roger Mason, but especially with Azubuike potentially missing time, Mason should get his chance to contribute.

I have said this before, and I still believe it to be very much true.  While plenty of talented players come into the league ready to dominate and other immensely talented players never quite figure it all out, there is still a large group of players that fall into the middle somewhere.  In my opinion, the Knicks trio of Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and Anthony Randolph epitomize that middle group.  Each of those three players have shown extended flashes of potential stardom in their young NBA careers, but none of them have been able to do so on a consistent basis.  None of them have quite developed into players ready to consistently help their teams win.  This season will be a big season for that trio to prove they are ready to take the next step.  Even with the additions of Amare and Felton, the stage is set for them to emerge onto the NBA scene.  The biggest question facing the Knicks this coming season is whether they will answer that call.

Ring… ring… ring….

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • http://www.youtube.com/tharealest62qb DaGawD_KnowLedge

    i’ll say rautins gets more burn than eddy curry

  • Jayo

    C: Turiaf/Mozgov
    PF: STAT/?
    SF: Melo/Chandler/Fields
    SG: JR Smith/Mason/Walker
    PG: Felton/TD

    Never leave the bench: Rautins, PE jr, ..

  • SilentJay

    I see Randolph playing both as PF and C with this coach, switching with Amare at times. Turiaf will start, imo, but he won’t see more than 20 min per game. He’s gonna bring blocking and rebounding (hopefully), but I don’t see him being a big scoring presence.
    Will’s gonna be switching as a SG/SF all season. With the addition of Randolph, there’s really no point in him playing at the 4 anymore. He’ll probably start as a SG, but imo, if Azubuike gets healty soon and is able to get his game back quickly I see him taking over the starting SG spot and Chandler coming off the bench.
    Mason’s experience and his great 3 ball’s probably the reason Walker’s gonna see his minutes decreased in a huge way, basically making him the odd guy out.
    Mozgov’s gonna get garbage minutes as a start to prove what he’s got as an NBA player. If he makes a good impression and can actually be a strong presence on both ends, we’ll maybe see Turiaf getting less than 20 per giving those minutes to the russian.
    The PG’s pretty much outta discussion here, so TD will probably play 10 minutes per, imo.
    But this coach works in mind bogglin’ ways, so we’ll be in the dark until the opener.

  • PickNY

    Landry Fields will find his way into the rotation THIS YEAR! There will be nights where coach doesn’t have a choice, but to play the kid, which many of us believe he is capable of cracking his way into the rotation!

  • kousinkar

    Great post. Line-up #3 would be my personal favorite.

    Let’s hope D’Antoni is willing to adjust and does indeed expand the rotation. The past two years, though, suggest otherwise.

  • BelieveTheDream

    I want Randolph starting…

  • Aj

    10 man rotation

  • Dylan

    I think it breaks down like this:

    PG- Felton 35 Douglas 13
    SG- Mason 20 Azubuike 20 Chandler 8
    SF- Gallinari 35 Chandler 13
    PF- Amare 20 Randolph 20 Chandler 8
    C- Turiaf 15 Amare 15 Randolph 10 Mozgov 8

    Here is how the minutes break down:
    Felton- 35
    Amare- 35
    Gallo- 35
    Randolph- 30
    Chandler- 29
    Mason- 20
    Azubuike- 20
    Turiaf- 15
    Douglas- 13
    Mozgov- 8

    I don’t think Curry plays at all. I don’t think Walker starts the season in the rotation, and I don’t think the rookies or PE Jr. make an impact this year.

  • Jayo

    Very nice breakdown of the minutes, it looks like a perfect rotation. Nice work(I still like my line-up better lol) ..

  • SilentJay

    That seems pretty accurate to me as the season starts, however there’s bound to be changes. I don’t know if Mason’s gonna be starting (knowing the coach he’ll probably start at the 2) or if he’s gonna get 20. Maybe 15 and the other five go to Buike. I’d take away Chandler’s minutes at the 4, with AR there now there’s no reason. I even see Gallo taking those minutes at the PF while Chandler plays the 3.
    I see Will playing SG/SF all season long and Buike eventually taking over the starting role and taking minutes away from Chandler.

  • SilentJay

    Of course the only thing’s that there’s 10 players getting minutes.
    This coach won’t allow that. It’ll ruin his precious “system”.

  • Dylan

    Thanks! Your lineup probably wins more games lol.

  • Dylan

    Yeah my projection is really for the start of the season. After the first couple weeks, players should start to win competitions. For instance, I don’t think Azubuike and Mason will both get consistent minutes over the course of the season. Same with Turiaf and Mozgov. I think that one guy will win the competition and get significant playing time, and the other will hardly ever play. I think that Amare, Felton, Gallo, Chandler, and Randolph will all get consistent minutes all year. The rest should be decided after the first couple weeks. Obviously things can change again though if a player gets really hot or starts to struggle.

  • blackwood

    To play where? Taking mins from who? Unless you are assuming that due to some trade there will be mins for him.

  • SilentJay

    Yup. There’s the bulk of the minutes right there, though I can see Buike fighting it out pretty strong to take minutes away from Will (it’ll be interesting because he’s in a contract year so he’ll go all in). I can actually see Buike (of course, if he comes back strong) being the starter by december.
    I can also see Gallo getting some time at the 4, Randolph at the 5 giving Amare some rest (and depending on the matchup of course).

  • JameyNYK

    Thanks for the supporting comments guys, appreciate it. I don’t want Amare playing the 5 position that much though u know? Hopefully Mozgov and Turiaf get majority of the minutes. Have u guys seen Mozgov with Russia? He’s a beast…especially defensively.

  • PickNY

    Man don’t act like the 2 is a definite lock!

  • PickNY

    Everybody is speculating when it comes to minutes, so it’s not worth my time trippin about who plays or doesn’t, especially as long as they are winning and allowing the youngs get their feet wet!

  • PickNY

    The big fella will get some tick tock, best believe that!

  • Magik_Trick

    No Randolph?

  • Magik_Trick

    Me too, but where?

    at the 3? and put Gallo on the bench?
    at the 4 and start injury prone Amar’e at the 5?
    at the 5 vs guys that weigh 60 lbs more than him?

  • johneco

    I hate it when people like you repeatedly spew venom which is not even based on truth.

    Last year, for most of the year we played roughly 10 players – Dantoni has IMO never reached an 8 man rotation in the years he’s been here.

    Season-long:
    Lee 37
    Chandler 36
    Danilo 34
    Duhon 31
    Harrington 31
    Douglas 19

    First half season:
    Jeffries 28
    Nate 24
    Hughes 26
    Bender 12

    Second half:
    Walker 27
    McGrady 26
    SRod 20
    House 20

    Not even counted were Hill, Barron, Landry, Giddens, Milicic, who had periods when they played.

  • johneco

    I like your lineup Dylan.
    Other people will get their chance when there are injuries.

  • johneco

    I seriously doubt it. He won’t play at all IMO. Not this year anyway.

  • johneco

    I think the lack of a clear rotation has been plagueing us for several years now, and looks to be the case again this year, as after Stoudemire Gallo Felton we have a lot of similar-talent players. This is one of the major risks for our season, as we have young players who could have problems accepting their roles when the pecking order is not clear.

  • Dave the Rave

    If Azu is healthy, I think Wilson is the odd man out and gets traded. Moz won’t play. He has no NBA experience or legs.

  • Dave the Rave

    Yes, we’ve seen highlights against-low level competition and like everyone he looks good in highlights. He’s no NBA player.

  • SilentJay

    He was toying around with a roster that was gonna last only a year and trying new players (after the midseason trade). Jeffries was being shopped, hence his constant minutes. Once Douglas entered the rotation Duhon didn’t see heavy time (and then back again).
    I’m one of the guys rooting for a larger rotation, but once he gets a formula that gets him the results he wants, those guys are gonna be getting minutes, whether it’s Mason, Buike or Chandler at the SG, Mozgov (remains a mystery) or Turiaf at the C, etc.
    The past 2 years has been about getting new players and trying them out. Now he’s got a fixed roster that isn’t gonna get blown up any time soon (unless there’s a sudden trade) and he’s gotta make his choices.
    I really want everybody to get a chance and a shot to get constant minutes (even if it’s 5-8 minutes per game), but his history (before NY) in a winning environment with an unmovable roster is more than telling.
    Let me repeat, I really hope the guy goes for a larger rotation, but I think that once he gets the 7-8 players that get him results, he’s gonna stay with those.

  • brookdon

    C Randolph/Stat
    PF Stat/Randolph
    SF Gallinari
    SG Azubuike (If Healthy)/Chandler
    PG Felton

    Turiaf is not a starter and won’t score enough points for the “system”. There is no way Dantoni sits a guy pushing seven foot can run, handle, and block. That’s his type of center (even though we would demolished down low.)

    I think Randolph and Amare will split time at center with Turiaf and Mosgov spelling them both.

  • omegared536

    great lineup send this to mike nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

  • flossy

    On the plus side, Randolph could not possibly be worse at playing center than David Lee.

  • HankNight

    If Chandler is mostly going to play SG with some SF, I really hope he has spent ALOT of time this off season working on his handle!

  • JeffM729

    Despite all the knocks on Lee, if Randolph can contribute more than him, we will have a great season.

    Randolph has started all of 30 games in two seasons. So let’s not put him on the All-Star team just yet. Lots of potential is great, maximizing your potential is priceless.

  • HaS

    Fields’ lateral quickness isn’t built to play the 2.

  • HaS

    “I hate it when people like you repeatedly spew venom which is not even based on truth.”

    _’antoni has repeatedly said he likes a tight rotation of no more than 8 players. Last year that 8th guy saw less than 10 mins.

  • flossy

    I’m just saying, if we have to play someone out of position to fill the 5 spot, Randolph can do as well as Lee without making the All-Star team. Even in his unpolished state he can be an impact player on D with his shot-blocking and rebounding. David Lee was never an impact defender except in the bad sense.

    AR definitely has to show more consistency but in the games he did start, he averaged 15/11 with 2 blocks. And that was when he was 20-30 lbs. skinnier.

  • kyosuke1x

    And shooting. His shooting stance and jump is off in timing and counter productive in release.

  • JeffM729

    Yes, I agree with most of your analysis. But Randolph rebelled in Golden State when asked to do exactly what you describe above. He sees himself as the focus of the offense, a point forward, and doesn’t want to just rebound. That’s why he ended up in the doghouse.

  • knicks613

    great fun.
    i think mozgov will be given the opp to start.
    this gets him wet for the 1st 6 mins each night.
    his energy, size, and signs of skill, and experience with the pnr are valuable.
    turiaf is better off the bench.
    this also leaves him with energy to finish games if turiaf can.
    if ar commands a starting position (over timofey), that will be a huge bonus.
    even with the usa team you see an 8 man rotation emerge. not sure why rudy g is getting less burn than andre i.
    even if you don’t like it and it almost cost them the game v. brazil.
    so expect mike to move in that direction, even though i love the 10 man rotation and the knicks may have the players for it.
    so hopefully, the knicks TEAM is encouraged to compete, keep competing, and mike can keep the mouths fed.
    and landry fields will earn mins., but i admit it is not clear who the loser(s) for mins. are.
    wilson, roger, tony, azu, bill w.

  • bluemax

    the consensus line up seems to be

    C turiaf/amare/randolf
    PF amare/randolf
    SF Gallo
    SG Chandler
    PG Felton

    Problem is that line up has only one reliable long range shooter (gallo). No way MD plays that line up.