The New York Knicks have added some new fire power to the roster for the upcoming season and now they are having troubles working out the starting lineup. Some teams would kill for this issue, having too much talent and too many capable starters. Head coach Mike Woodson is letting the preseason dictate the starts as Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith battle it out for a spot.
Smith is the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, but Woodson is prepared to make him a starter this season depending on the play of other teammates. As the preseason begins, the head coach is watching Shumpert very carefully and if his play begins to slack, Smith will likely be named a starter. The issue is that Smith is recovering from offseason knee surgery and will be suspended for the first five games upon his return for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
"I'd like to go with a big lineup with Raymond and either J.R. or Iman at the two[-guard],'' Woodson said, via New York Post. "If I can get to that point where they're competing [for it]. We'll see how it plays out.''
Woodson intends on going with a tradition shooting guard in the starting lineup rather than two point guards he worked with last year. That means it is either Shumpert or Smith that gets the role. Shumpert is also dealing with injury issues, coming off shoulder problems from last season. Woodson expects him to be at full strength come the season opener.
Shumpert was a starter last season when he returned from a torn ACL mid-way through the year. However, Woodson believes he needs a little push and competition to really become the player the Knicks believe he can be.
"When he came in, some of the veteran guys got to him early and he was able to listen,'' Woodson said. "With young players, you got to listen and accept coaching. As coaches, we're not always right. But you have to accept coaching. He's done that.''
Woodson says that as of now, Shumpert has the inside track to start, keeping Smith as the sixth man. The coach credited Shumpert to being more humble since being challenged for his starting spot and the young guard agrees, crediting the veterans for helping him through his first full training camp.
"It's my first [full] training camp actually so he's right on the money,'' Shumpert said. "The pro game is different. I'm getting adjusted to it. I have a lot more basketball to play.''
