Interim coach Mike Miller made his first change to the Knicks‘ starting lineup last night, inserting Elfrid Payton at point guard in place of Frank Ntilikina, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. It’s a move that seemed inevitable, as Payton’s role has increased since Miller took over for David Fizdale seven games ago. Ntilikina provides better defense, but Payton speeds up the offense and gets everyone involved.
“Elfrid had 10 assists and two turnovers,” Miller said after the game. “The one thing we’ve seen him do consistently here as he’s come back from his injury is he’s helping other people and you have that facilitator and that guy that does it and he’s taken that role and he’s done a very good job with it. I’ll be repetitive, but we’ve continued, when we’ve needed it and when the game calls for it, we’ve used all the guards.”
Popper adds that giving Payton more minutes might be a strategy to drive up his trade value. He’s about to turn 26 and has no guaranteed money beyond this season. The Knicks’ future at point guard may still revolve around the 21-year-old Ntilikina and 22-year-old Dennis Smith Jr., who both need playing time to develop.
There’s more this morning from New York City:
- Executives around the league tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv that Ntilikina still has trade value and could bring back a late first-round pick if the Knicks decide to deal him. The organization appeared determined to move on from Ntilikina before the draft, but Begley believes that’s less certain now.
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RJ Barrett may be the last chance for the current Knicks management team to have a success story, Popper adds in a separate piece. The third player selected in this year’s draft, Barrett has been through an up-and-down start to his rookie season, as this week demonstrated. His 27-point outburst Tuesday against the Hawks was sandwiched between a 3-for-12 shooting night in Denver and a 1-for-10 performance in Miami. “We’re looking at a rookie coming in,” Miller said. “He is really mature. Mentally, he is very mature. He’s prepared for this, handles these things. Physically, he puts the work in, handles himself. From teammates to staff, everyone knows what he can do. It’s part of the learning.”
- The Knicks’ treatment of Fizdale will make it more difficult for the team to attract a big-name coach in the future, contends George Willis of The New York Post. Numerous coaches around the league have spoken up in defense of Fizdale, who was fired after less than a season and a half.
How can you speak up for Fiz? His random multi game benching, not using Robinson in the starting lineup, and multiple blowout losses at the end of his tenure don’t suggest a coach that deserves more than a season and a half. Not like the guy made a great impression in Memphis either.
Great assistant, not much of a Head Coach.
Fiz gets millions to not coach the Knicks anymore and an unreasonably hot wife. Win win
The Knicks’ “treatment” of Fizdale will zero impact on their ability to attract any HC they please. Start with the fact that Mills and Perry wouldn’t be doing the hiring or have the ability to fire him.
Every time a HC is fired, the coaching fraternity makes treats it as though it’s some kind of travesty. These guys need to understand how fungible they are, and that their salaries are what they are because of the idea is they can be fired at any time.
Knicks have to stay the course, rebuilding. Fizdale and management already feeling the pressure. Fizdale was never cut out fir NY. Mills and Perry should also GO. Quickest way to right this ship. Go and get D Russell. Should of signed him instead of few we did. He is 24 an all star. Fits in with rebuilding. And speeds it up a bit. He’s not a fit with Curry and Klay healthy. Plus he can handle NY. I’d be seriously looking to make this happen. Robinson, RJ, Russell, Knox, Frank, Trier, Dotson even Randle. Are all young. Plus our pick this year
The value of the best distributor is NOT noted by only looking at his individual stats.
They can develop N’kina & DSJ if they want, but they won’t wind up with much better, and have wasted time waiting.
IDK what Barrett thinks or works best with, so far, but there’s the key.
Will Miller stay on as an asst coach when Tibbs (and Van Gundy) take over? Wouldn’t be right to send him back to the GLeague.
No sympathy for Fizdale at all, as he should have known what he was getting into. On top of that, he did a poor job with his wacky rotations, the lack of talent notwithstanding.
Nothing to see here but the usual Knick drama under Dolan.