The Knicks are full of potential starters this year after acquiring Samuel Dalembert and Jose Calderon from the Mavericks. Coach Derek Fisher recently said that the only guaranteed starter for the Knicks is Carmelo Anthony, rightfully so. Carmelo also has said that he’ll primarily be playing the small forward position this year. Now that leaves four more spots to compete for. But according to Ian Begely of the New York Times, Knicks President Phil Jackson already has named the starting point guard and center for the Knicks.
Jackson said Jose Calderon and Sam Dalembert will probably start at point guard and center, respectively.
Alright Phil, so much for not meddling in any of the coaching aspects this season. The depth chart is slim pickings for starters at those positions. But there are some guys who could move around for the Knicks and play different roles.
Point Guards: Jose Calderon, Pablo Prigioni, Shane Larkin
Shooting Guard: Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Tim Hardaway, J.R.
Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, Travis Outlaw, Cleanthony Early
Power Forward: Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, Qunicy Acy
Center: Samuel Dalembert, Jason Smith, Cole Aldrich.
Could Shumpert start at the point, with Hardaway starting at shooting guard, Calderon and Smith off the bench for some firepower? What about Amar’e starting at center, Bargnani at power forward and have Dalembert, Smith and Acy come of the bench for some size? Who knows at this point. The Knicks will have to figure it out soon though, tipoff is 15 days away.
