The Knicks with 1 loss fall from 7th to 10th. That's how the East is. You can not fool around. We are playing with fire here by staying stubborn. Teams have advanced statistics and this data at their disposal. You need to make that adjustment to give you a better chance at winning more games. 3 losses more could mean the difference in finishing 9th or 10th with 38 wins or making the playoffs at 41 wins.
17 games (15 with Noah) should be enough evidence. Last season should be enough. KP's emergence. Melo's age and slower foot speed. We need more time with Melo at 4, and we need to take our chances with KP at 5 or insert some one at 5 like O'Quinn or Hernangomez who are actally a threat to score.
Hernangomez is making a case to replace Noah as starter. I think the chemistry just ins't there with the starters. Noah may be a 72 million dollar investment, but bringing him off the bench with Jennings will give us incredible energy. We need a starting 5 that is less reliant on Melo or KP or Rose going into isolation mode (especially Melo).
Since Hornachek is taking out KP early in the first quarter anyway, I would start KP at 5 if they feel Hernangomez is not ready. To run Hornachek's offense and style of play best, you need more team speed and better spacing. Noah is an exceptional passer and great screen setter. But teams see what he is going to do. They sag off him and know he's going to look to pass the ball to a cutter or just dump it into Melo for an isolation. This is not the style of basketball we want to be playing. Defensively, Noah has made little overall team impact. Let Noah come off the bench in an energizer 12 to 15 minutes a night role. If he gets into shape and his confidence back, consider more minutes. Next year he may come in better shape. Look at O'Quinn. He is in better shape and is playing better this year on both ends. Noah can do the same. He looks a little heavy. Give him the backup role this year.
