On Sunday, Kevin Seraphin’s 12 point performance not only represented his best of the season, but also the first time he’s scored in double-fingers since the Knicks’ first preseason game. It was also the first time, since, that he had played more than 13 minutes in a game.
The 25 year old fought through a nagging injury in the preseason, but since regaining form, hasn’t gotten the minutes such aforementioned performances suggest he needs.This has seemingly been the case for many other Knicks so far in the early goings, such as Derrick Williams, Kyle O’Quinn, and even Robin Lopez. New York has had multiple games where Coach Derek Fisher has ushered every one of his soldiers out onto the hardwood. While it’s one thing to say the season is still young and it’s worthwhile figuring things out, such experiments are detrimental to the players who clearly deserve and require the minutes to be productive.
O’Quinn is a great example. The big man is a high energy guy whose positive impact on a game is not only often evident, but clearly infectious as well. In every game that he’s played 12 minutes or more, O’Quinn has logged at least six points. He’s also grabbed at least five rebounds in all but one of those games. In the two games during which he’s played more than twenty minutes, O’Quinn has also logged at least 10 rebounds and 3 assists.
Needless to say, he’s been productive. With that in mind, playing O’Quinn just 12 total minutes over the last two games is questionable, to say the least. After scoring 24 points in just 21 minutes in the Knicks’ season-opening win, Derrick Williams is yet to see as much playing time in any of the games that have followed. Robin Lopez’s 25.8 minutes per game represents his lowest minutes average in four seasons.
The Knicks’ frontline is obviously a crowded one. Aside from Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, Lance Thomas is the only other member receiving consistent minutes; he’s yet to play fewer than 15 minutes in a contest. Even Lopez, the team’s starting center, cannot say the same thing.
A few things to note; at 5-6, the Knicks have looked competitive. They were 5-36 through 41 games last season, so this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. And of course, different players will hear their numbers called (at least, more often) on a nightly basis depending on the matchup at hand.
Nevertheless, underutilizing players and/or otherwise tossing them to the curb is another thing. The Knicks have tremendous depth, and that should continue to be viewed as an asset. Not providing certain players with consistent minutes could be considered negligence when taking into account how well a player (O’Quinn is still the best example of the bunch) is performing. There needs to be consistency, and Coach Fisher should provide such players with an assist in the form of balanced playing time in order to help them find respective rhythms.
If they aren’t receiving the minutes necessary, there’s a good chance players will underwhelm when suddenly called upon again.
Players need to rewarded for good play. It’d be a shame to see Seraphin’s great outing on Sunday be disregarded in the games to come. When a player like Porzingis is shooting 36% in his last six games, there are reserves nipping at his heels, hungry for more minutes, in the meantime.
Coach Fisher needs to find a better way of utilizing the talent the team has available to them, because otherwise, it’ll go to waste and certain players may not necessarily be ready when actually needed.
First time I'm thinking to much depth may back fire, i hope I'm wrong, but fisher is really goinng to have to make some sacrifices, and some players feelings may get hurt, but lance, sasha, an admundson, where not signed to play consistent minutes
