Knicks Go Small in Loss to Celtics
Oct 16 2010 11:02PM
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Toney Douglas got the start Saturday night vs. the Celtics.
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Everyone knows Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni likes to run, so doesn’t it make sense that his two quickest players share a spot in the backcourt from time to time?
As Amar’e Stoudemire sat out Saturday’s 97-84 loss to the Boston Celtics, D’Antoni experimented with a starting lineup that featured both Raymond Felton and Toney Douglas, the team’s two point guards. Wilson Chandler, who started the first three preseason games at the two, replaced Stoudemire up front.
“They haven’t played together yet so I just wanted to look at it,” D’Antoni said before the game. “Toney can play off the ball some and Raymond can guard twos so I’m going to look and see what that looks like and see if it’s something that I like.”
D’Antoni likes the idea that the Felton-Douglas combo provides “more speed, ball handling and playmaking” in his run-and-gun offense. However, he isn’t sure if he would ever start the two at the same time during a regular season game, but would be open to playing that speedy backcourt at points this season.
“I don’t know if we’d like to start that, but it might be something we’d like to explore more,” he said.
Douglas and Felton had worked together in the backcourt during training camp, practices and for a short span in a game earlier this preseason. On Saturday, they got off to a good start with Felton scoring nine of his 16 points in the first quarter and Douglas dishing out four of his five assists in the opening period.
“I think we can play (well) together,” Douglas said.
Stoudemire did not play against the Celtics because D’Antoni wants his star to be fresh for the regular season. Stoudemire, who scored 30 points against Boston in their matchup on Wednesday, will be back in action when the Knicks host the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chandler opened the game in the power forward spot instead of on the wing for the first time this preseason. The 6-foot-8 Chandler, one of the Knicks’ most versatile players, says he’s most comfortable at the four, but understands D’Antoni’s offense from both spots on the floor and can guard both guards and big men.
“He’s very strong, he guards fours really well and we’re able to open the floor with him,” D’Antoni said. “We’re able to have more shooting because now you put a shooter at the two. It just gives the team a lot of advantages; more speed and makes the team harder to matchup."
In order for Chandler to play in the frontcourt, Stoudemire would have to move to center, which is something D’Antoni does not have a problem with. Stoudemire, who played for D’Antoni in Phoenix, shined while playing center alongside Shawn Marion, whose size and skill set could be compared to Chandler’s.
“With Amar’e at the five it’s probably unguardable,” D’Antoni said.
D’Antoni hopes to have a better idea of what the starting lineup and rotation by the final two games of the preseason. The Knicks open the regular season on Oct. 27 against the Raptors in Toronto.
As Amar’e Stoudemire sat out Saturday’s 97-84 loss to the Boston Celtics, D’Antoni experimented with a starting lineup that featured both Raymond Felton and Toney Douglas, the team’s two point guards. Wilson Chandler, who started the first three preseason games at the two, replaced Stoudemire up front.
“They haven’t played together yet so I just wanted to look at it,” D’Antoni said before the game. “Toney can play off the ball some and Raymond can guard twos so I’m going to look and see what that looks like and see if it’s something that I like.”
D’Antoni likes the idea that the Felton-Douglas combo provides “more speed, ball handling and playmaking” in his run-and-gun offense. However, he isn’t sure if he would ever start the two at the same time during a regular season game, but would be open to playing that speedy backcourt at points this season.
“I don’t know if we’d like to start that, but it might be something we’d like to explore more,” he said.
Douglas and Felton had worked together in the backcourt during training camp, practices and for a short span in a game earlier this preseason. On Saturday, they got off to a good start with Felton scoring nine of his 16 points in the first quarter and Douglas dishing out four of his five assists in the opening period.
“I think we can play (well) together,” Douglas said.
Stoudemire did not play against the Celtics because D’Antoni wants his star to be fresh for the regular season. Stoudemire, who scored 30 points against Boston in their matchup on Wednesday, will be back in action when the Knicks host the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chandler opened the game in the power forward spot instead of on the wing for the first time this preseason. The 6-foot-8 Chandler, one of the Knicks’ most versatile players, says he’s most comfortable at the four, but understands D’Antoni’s offense from both spots on the floor and can guard both guards and big men.
“He’s very strong, he guards fours really well and we’re able to open the floor with him,” D’Antoni said. “We’re able to have more shooting because now you put a shooter at the two. It just gives the team a lot of advantages; more speed and makes the team harder to matchup."
In order for Chandler to play in the frontcourt, Stoudemire would have to move to center, which is something D’Antoni does not have a problem with. Stoudemire, who played for D’Antoni in Phoenix, shined while playing center alongside Shawn Marion, whose size and skill set could be compared to Chandler’s.
“With Amar’e at the five it’s probably unguardable,” D’Antoni said.
D’Antoni hopes to have a better idea of what the starting lineup and rotation by the final two games of the preseason. The Knicks open the regular season on Oct. 27 against the Raptors in Toronto.
