The New York Knicks have a lot of players in their backcourt, too many in fact. While the team will be relying on Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani to protect the rim, the scoring production can come from a number of players. The Knicks traded for Jose Calderon this offseason to finally havea true point guard on the roster, but could JR Smith and Iman Shumpert see time at the position as well?
It was assumed that Calderon was the starting point guard for the Knicks after the team dealt Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton for the veteran. However, when the Knicks stepped on the court for the first day of practice, that was not the case. Smith was the point guard, working into the triangle system Derek Fisher was putting into place. According to ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley, Smith could see a lot of time in lead role depending on the rotation the team puts in place. When running triangle drills, that is the only position Smith played so Fisher could be setting him up for a season as a point guard.
Begley also notes that Shumpert could be a player at the point guard spot as well. The triangle offense Phil Jackson ran favors a taller guard over a shorter one. Now, Fisher excelled in the triangle offense, but only because Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were also on the roster. The Knicks do not have the luxury of that type of talent outside of Carmelo Anthony, so Smith and Shumpert might be better fit for the role.
The Knicks look to be set on entering the season with all of that backcourt help. Along with Smith, Shumpert and Calderon, Tim Hardaway Jr and Shane Larkin could also be worked into the rotation. Much of that will depend on whether or not the Knicks pull off a last-minute trade. The team has reportedly been shopping a number of these players over the past few weeks. Considering the Knicks failed at one point or another to get trades done for them during the heart of the offseason, it can be expected that everyone stays put to begin the year.
