Most Intriguing Starting Line-Ups and Rotations

Most Intriguing Starting Line-ups and Rotations

The Draft is done. The summer leagues are over (and it was a good summer league). So now training camp is on the way and our favorite season is about to begin! NBA TIME!!

Everybody is talking about the Heat, Celtics, Magic, and of course the LA Lakers. People are speculating on who will be able to de-throne the Lakers, and saying how the Heat will break the Bulls regular season record.

Of course all of those subjects are interesting, but there are some other issues that we have to consider and they can actually be more fun to speculate. The teams that are not contenders but have done a good amount of changes hoping to improve their record last year, and maybe fight for a playoff spot, or getting to a farther round in the playoffs. I would like to analyze teams like the Knicks, Nets, Bucks, 76ers, and other of the same caliber, to see what is their best starting line up, or the rotation that gives them the best chance to win games, what their weak spots are and what are their strengths. All of this is in my opinion of course.

Let’s start with one of the greatest franchises in the NBA:

NY KNICKS

The Knicks made great improvements from last season, and the only cancer left in the team from the black ages is Curry, but he will not get playing time, and he will be out by the end of the year, so let’s not worry about that.

The Knicks begin the new era with a talented squad that has some depth also (my guess is that they will be having a 9 man rotation). They upgraded their point guard position by bringing Raymond Felton. Felton is solid, but hasn’t lived up to expectations yet. He has a decent shot, and his numbers should improve by playing under D’antoni. Back up PG Toney Douglas can bring some instant offense off the bench, and a spark.

The weak spot of the Knicks is their SG position. Roger Mason and Azubuike are fighting for the starting spot. I think Mason will start at the beginning but Azubuike will take over the spot during the year. Azubuike is more complete and has experience already playing in a fast paced run and gun offense, plus his produces when healthy and getting minutes.

I am looking forward to see how much Gallinari will improve on his 3^rd year in the league. We all know he is an elite shooter, but with his size I am hoping that he will help more on the boards. Rookie Landry Fields can be an important role player also in this position.

The PF and C position is where it gets interesting with the Knicks. There are 4 players who will be rotating in those positions, and they are on the rise. Amar’e can play both PF and C so his position will be determined by who is in the court with him in the rotation during the game. Antony Randolph is a good prospect that has been showing signs of developing into a very good player, and can play both PF and C. He has a good touch also. Wilson Chandler had a very solid 2 last seasons with the Knicks and is fighting for the starting PF spot. Finally Rony Turiaf is Mr. Energy from the bench and an undersized bruiser.

The greatly improved NY Knicks projected starting line up would be the following: PG Felton  SG Azubuike  SF Gallinari  PF Chandler  C Amar’e  with Randolph, Turiaf, Douglas and Mason getting a good amount of minutes. The Knicks will be fighting for a playoff spot on the new and improve eastern conference.