The 6-foot-9 Copeland is the ultimate tweener in that he has the length and body of a power forward, but has the 3-point range, handle, and scoring prowess of a small forward. And since Woodson likes to go to the undersized lineup quite often -- such as using the 6-foot-7 Anthony at power forward -- Copeland's skill set fits right in to what Woodson wants.

Copeland made his first career start last week against the Cleveland Cavaliers and scored 11 points in 19 minutes, as the Knicks eked out the win. He then followed that up with an impressive 29 points (11-of-19 shooting) in the loss to Jeremy Lin and the Houston Rockets. And in (the) loss to the Chicago Bulls, Copeland had a solid 10 points in 10 minutes with a plus-17 stat line.

“I’m very impressed,” Woodson said. “I think the kid is hungry."

“It’s been an extremely long road just to put on an NBA jersey,” Copeland said, reflecting on his time spent in Europe after not getting drafted. "It took a lot of years and a lot of work and tears. ... It’s been amazing to play in the Garden and hear the fans erupt.”

... he's shooting 53 percent from the field and averaging 6.1 points in just 9.4 minutes per game.

“In order to get more minutes and to make strides in my game, I need to get stops. It’s important for me to show I can do other things.”

- Tony Williams, NJ.com

Some things, some THANGS, ain't neva change.

Truth be told, I don't believe nor feel that Kidd himself is worried about breaking down. This type of playing time isn't anything new to Jason Kidd. He may be up there in age, yes, but his body and mind has been trained for this type of playing time. Well trained at that. I highly doubt that we're on the verge of "running Kidd into the ground" before the "halfway point". For a matter of fact (here in 2012-2013) he's averaging the 2nd fewest minutes per game of his entire career.

These are very strong claims. And I believe an (overall) overreaction to his age. Just the other night during a post-game interview, Jason Kidd considered this as being nothing more than a 'dress rehearsal' in regards to the regular season. He's using a much needed regular season as a way of gaining team chemistry and overall cohesion amongst his new teammates. He's just now learning how to work off Melo and J.R Smith. I'm not sure how you can make such a sure claim such as the Knicks are on the verge of running Jason Kidd "into the ground" before the "halfway point". Getting out there and running, keeping his musles loose is nothing but good for a player such as Kidd. Too much rest, and the bones and joints begin to tighten up.

I understand Kidd's importance to our team as a veteran leader, but the last time I checked Jason Kidd has been in this league for 18 years now. A career average of 36.4 minutes per game. Only averaging 29.4 minutes per night with our Knicks. Not sure how we're the one's on the verge of running Kidd into the ground when Kidd himself has played through seasons of 35.5, 35.6, 36.0, 36.7, 37.2, 37.2, 37.3, 37.5, 37.4, 38.0, 39.0, 39.8 and 41.2 minutes per game. As of right now he's currently averaging the 2nd fewest minutes per game of his entire career (29.4). If anything Kidd is more rested today (with the Knicks) than he's ever been.

He struggled shooting from the field last season but then again, last year was a shortened season. Something in which his body and mind wasn't used to. There were consecutive back to back's like no tomorrow last season. That's not the case here in 12-13 as Kidd gets a chance to recuperate after just about each and every game. Back in only 2010-2011 Jason Kidd averaged 33.3 minutes per game on an NBA Championship team. He wasn't broken down come postseason play either. He was as ready as they come. I highly doubt that playing 29.4 minutes per game here in New York only two years later will "run Kidd into the ground" before the "halfway point".

This type of playing time is nothing new in regards to Kidd and/or his body/mind. He's a seasoned vet who's only getting warmed up for a strong postseason push. We (as a coaching staff) could work Kidd like a dawg the entire regular season before resting him for two/three weeks heading into the postseason. By the time it's playoff basketball? Kidd is coming to compete stronger and/or harder than ever. He lives for those types of situations. Kidd moving to the 2G position has pretty much rejuvenated his career. If you watch Jason Kidd, it's not like he's playing 29.4 minutes of high octane offense. He's not running and gunning. He's not being asked to lead the fast break up and down the court. He's more like a coach out there. A spot up shooter. Can slow down the game with veteran leadership. Can dictate the tempo to his liking. He plays in spaces. Little tiny spaces at a time. But, he just so happens to dominate those spaces. Next time you watch a Knicks game, watch closely how Kidd plays the game. He plays in spaces. It's amazing to see. His basketball knowledge and overall I.Q of the game prevents his body from breaking down. Plays too smart out there. Plays in control.

I'm sorry, but I'll agree to disagree in regards to our Knicks being on the verge of running Jason Kidd into the ground before the halfway point. Also, playing a currently 9.1 minutes per game Chris Copeland 25-28 minutes per game? No thank you. With Felton and Kidd as our starting backcourt, we're currently on pace to set an All-Time NBA Record for fewest turnovers committed per game. If we're to compete for the number one seed out of the Eastern Conference, we'll need a future HOF leader in Kidd over Copeland without question.

Anji wrote:Kidd should be coming off the bench.

I'm not quite sure of that Anji. I mean, as of right now we're on pace to set an all-time NBA record for fewest turnovers committed per game with a starting backcourt of Felton and Kidd. I would love for J.R Smith or Shumpert (when healthy) to become our starting 2G, but then again, I love the way we're playing as of right now with Kidd as our starting 2G. A player who looks to get everyone involved while playing mistake free.

As I've already stated, next time you watch a Knicks game, pay extra close attention to the ways that Jason Kidd plays the game of basketball. It's amazing just watching. He plays in small spaces at a time. I've never seen anything like it before. He just so happens to dominate these spaces while doing so.

Anji - Have you noticed the more JR Smith handles the ball in the backcourt, the more comfortable he looks? His 7 rebound, 3 steal, 4 assist performance against the Wolves was his best of the year. Just to keep his critics quiet, Mr Smith also shot 50 per cent.

Are you sitting down?

Sometimes, added responsibility (and accountability) makes a better man. In order to inject the offense with more intuitive ball movement, start JR Smith at the point. Felton may sulk for a moment, but this is about how Mike Woodson adapts to the influx of new personnel... and winning over the long haul.

starters

JR Smith - fire
Jason Kidd - ice
Brewer - JR compensates for his lack of offensive juice
Anthony - 30, book it
Chandler - aided by Brewer inside, focusing more on hitting the glass

pine brothers

Prigioni - will find Novak
Felton - playing more like a two guard anyway, replaces Kidd the moment Kidd breathes heavy
Novak - will find better shots with Camby, an excellent passer
Sheed/ Amare - depending on the mood
Camby - will keep ball moving and rebound (see Novak)

NYKMentality wrote:

Anji wrote:Kidd should be coming off the bench.

I'm not quite sure of that Anji. I mean, as of right now we're on pace to set an all-time NBA record for fewest turnovers committed per game with a starting backcourt of Felton and Kidd. I would love for J.R Smith or Shumpert (when healthy) to become our starting 2G, but then again, I love the way we're playing as of right now with Kidd as our starting 2G. A player who looks to get everyone involved while playing mistake free.

As I've already stated, next time you watch a Knicks game, pay extra close attention to the ways that Jason Kidd plays the game of basketball. It's amazing just watching. He plays in small spaces at a time. I've never seen anything like it before. He just so happens to dominate these spaces while doing so.

It would keep him fresh and allow him to be used in any situation when you felt like you needed to stabilize the back court as the game moves on.