The Answer Man Proposes Community Basketball
Q. SupremeC - which players would you propose takeover 48 minutes of PG duties tonight in TD's place?
A. The Answer Man is no coach, nor does he play one on tee vee... the options are still limited until Davis and Shumpert heal. Whether D'Antoni or any one else paints a happy face on it, for the month of January the Knicks are in a desperate situation in the backcourt. It will demand creative community basketball. The league is younger and quicker. Miami is on a mission.
First option - give Carmelo the keys to the car. He appears to be ready to step into the role as Magic Johnson Guard. Start him handling the ball for the first eight minutes to get him comfortable at the start of a game. Next eight minutes go to Bibby as Carmelo slides to the three. If it works, stay with it. If needed sprinkle some Toney Douglas (cough) advancing the ball and check the score at halftime.
Second option - stick with Douglas as the starter at point. Integrate Fields as a secondary ball handler. Bring Bibby at the 8 minute mark. Check the score at halftime and adjust accordingly. Carmelo gets cameo appearances at lead guard. Lin is nailed to the pine and only used in emergency.
Third option - start Bibby. Bring Jeremy Lin at the 8 minute mark and allow him to make his summer league/ pre season adjustments on the fly. If he shows potential, you live with his errors. Forget the score, watch carefully for glimpses of better ball movement. If the offense dictates tempo when Lin is in the game, we have something. Carmelo still gets cameo appearances at lead guard.