With the NBA season growing closer, the New York Knicks are nearing the naming of their starting five for opening night. Of course Carmelo Anthony and Robin Lopez have their names written in pen for the lineup, but who joins them is anyone's guess. Kristaps Porzingis remains out with injury while Arron Afflalo is set to make his debut for the team in the preseason on Thursday.
According to Mark Berman of the New York Post, Affalo has been cleared to play following a hamstring injury in training camp. The shooting guard has been sitting out while Sasha Vujacic started in his place. The Knicks ideally want Affalo as a starter on opening night, but have yet to see if that will work out as he sat with injury. Afflalo told the media that he feels healthy and is now focused on gaining chemistry with his teammates.
"It felt good,'' Afflalo said, via the Post. "I had an extended vacation. The training staff has been great with me in terms of rehab. Now it's getting acclimated with my teammates. It's a positive anxiety. I got two days of training camp in, so it seems like it's been awhile. I'm familiar [with the offense]. I've been standing here watching every day, so I'm excited. My wind is great. It's more or less getting a continuity with my teammates.''
Porzingis remains a question mark as he sits out of the preseason with a non-contract injury to his quad. This is one of three injuries the rookie has suffered since arriving in the Big Apple and it is beginning to be a concern for the team. Porzingis has been penciled in as a starter for the team heading into opening night, but that will be based on his health which is not good at the moment. Fisher hinted it might hurt his chances to play in the first game.
"I'm not sure,'' Fisher said, via the Post. "We'll see what happens [Thursday]. I'm pretty big on guys having an opportunity to practice before playing in the game. If he's able to practice tomorrow, it's a possibility. If not, I'd say not.''
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Jose Calderon will start at point guard despite the rise of Jerian Grant. Fisher likes the idea of Grant and Langston Galloway working in tandem with the reserves as he believes that gives the team more versatility. Calderon's injury history is not great either, which makes the development of Grant that much more important for the Knicks.