Breaking Down NY Knicks' Small Forward Position for 2014-15 Season
The New York Knicks are in an in-between phase of Phil Jackson's franchise rejuvenation, and it's apparent throughout the roster. The team's new president administered as much roster overhaul as he could over his first summer in charge, and there are several new pieces for Derek Fisher to work into his rotation.
At the same time, expensive, intrusive leftovers from the prior regime remain on the roster and will impede New York's ability to prepare for the future. The presence of these holdovers—Andrea Bargnani and Amar'e Stoudemire, namely—will have a direct impact on how Fisher handles minutes at the small forward position this season.
Carmelo Anthony, a natural small forward over the course of his career, has enjoyed tremendous success at the power forward slot these past two seasons thanks to the matchup nightmares he presents against traditional 4s. With Stoudemire and Bargnani in the fold for 2014-15, Anthony may be bumped back down to the position for extended minutes.
The small forward minutes will generally be taken up by the same crowd as last season—Anthony, Shumpert and J.R. Smith are all returning—while rookie Cleanthony Early will attempt to earn a role at the position as well. Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw, who were acquired from the Sacramento Kings in August, could figure into the rotation as well.
This year is all about transition for the Knicks, as they await to make a free-agency splash in 2015. But let's take a look back and a look forward on the small forward position's status in the meantime.
Grading Last Year's Performance
Last season wasn't pretty for the Knicks in most aspects, but they did get positive production out of their small forward spot. Much of that had to do with Anthony, but there were bright spots from Shumpert and Smith at the position also.
Let's start with Anthony, though. It's clear now that 'Melo is better suited at the 4, and he has posted better numbers there over the last two seasons. But he's still one of the league's best offensive talents at small forward.
According to Basketball-Reference, Anthony logged 38 percent of his total minutes at the 3 last season. According to 82games.com, he posted a 22 player efficiency rating and 30.2 points per 48 minutes while playing there. The bulk of those minutes came early in the season before Bargnani's season-ending injury in January, when Mike Woodson insisted on including the two players in a bigger lineup.
| Carmelo Anthony | 2982 | 38% |
| J.R. Smith | 2421 | 72% |
| Iman Shumpert | 1962 | 10% |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | 1875 | 36% |
After Bargnani went down, Anthony bumped back up to the power forward position for the most part, which opened up a slot for another guard in the starting lineup. More guards with shooting range around Anthony in the lineup led to more space for him to operate, and him being matched up against 4s led to more panicky help defense by opponents—which led to more open teammates for Anthony to utilize.
J.R. Smith, according to Basketball-Reference, played the vast majority, 72 percent, of his minutes at the 3. And while his overall numbers infer a putrid all-around season, Smith was a very solid option for the Knicks after shaking off a brutal two-month stretch to begin the year.
After Jan. 10, Smith shot 45 percent from the field and and 43 percent from three-point range, averaging 16.5 points, four rebounds and three assists a game.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert rounded out the small forward rotation, and two of the youngest Knicks could not have gone through more different experiences.
Hardaway, in his rookie campaign, impressed with his scoring ability but struggled in every other facet of the game, and the Knicks were a worse team with him on the floor. Shumpert went through a season-long scoring slump, posting a shooting line of .378/.333/.746, but gave the Knicks a boost in other key areas and posted the team's best net rating aside from Anthony.
As was the case with the rest of the team, though, there was never enough consistency beside Anthony to string together a meaningful run. The 3-slot was solid enough to keep the Knicks above water, but considering all else, that just wasn't enough.
What's Left to Settle?
The biggest question the Knicks face heading into the year features two of their three highest-paid players. How much will Stoudemire and Bargnani factor into the rotation?
In theory, both players can help a team score in limited roles. But with both being natural 4s, unable to protect the rim and unable to coexist in the same lineup on either end of the floor, both are simply expensive nightmares for a rebuilding Knicks team.
Last season, New York was 8.5 points per 100 possessions worse with Stoudemire on the floor. Bargnani's number was 8.1 points worse.
Here's the conundrum the Knicks face: Carmelo is a better weapon at the 4. If Anthony is at the 4 and STAT or Bargs figure into the rotation, one will need to play the center position, effectively destroying the team's chances on defense. If one—or God forbid both—of Stoudemire and Bargnani are playing with 'Melo, it bumps him back down to the 3, ruining space and taking minutes away from the younger wings.
This is a dilemma that's easy to spot, even months before the season. The way Jackson is constructing the Knicks, and with their hopes of landing a prime free agent next summer, these two players will not be a part of the future. The only thing left to settle is when Fisher will cut them out of the present.
The New Rotation
At least at the onset of 2014-15, it's reasonable to assume the small forward rotation will resemble last year's, with Anthony logging some minutes there to accommodate Stoudemire and/or Bargnani.
When Anthony is resting, two of Smith, Shumpert and Hardaway will accompany him on the wings. Over time, Early could work into the rotation at the 3 as well. But at least in the season's early stages, Travis Outlaw may get the nod over the rookie for those spot minutes.
According to general manager Steve Mills after the Knicks traded for Outlaw and Quincy Acy (via Ian Begley of ESPN New York), Outlaw is "a mobile big that can play the 4 and the 5. He's got a great mid-range shot. I think he'll fit within sort of the triangle. He's got good hands, he can space the floor and he's got great size."
Outlaw has averaged under 15 minutes per game over the last three seasons and will likely only be capable of spot minutes if Fisher opts not to overwork Anthony in the season's early going. After impressing in the summer league, though, and after more practice time with Fisher's triangle offense, it's easy to see Early earning a role behind Anthony and the other wings.
Acy is another player who adds depth at the position but probably won't make all that much of an impact. He's been an energy guy throughout his brief NBA career and by all accounts a likable teammate. He's averaged 13 minutes per game over his two pro seasons, and judging by the talent the Knicks have at the 3, that number may decrease by the time this season is over.
How the complete rotation at small forward ends up largely depends on Fisher's plans for Anthony and what position he sees him fitting best in the triangle. Talent-wise, though, like last season, the position projects to be a strength for New York.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
