D'Antoni ponders changes in starting lineup
Photo credit: AP | New York Knicks center David Lee (42) attempts to drive past Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley during the second half. (October 28, 2009)
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Photos: Heat 115, Knicks 93
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - One awful performance in the season opener seems to be enough for Mike D'Antoni, who at practice Thursday hinted that he might make changes to the starting lineup soon, if not for tonight's game against the Bobcats.
"I told them, just be prepared," D'Antoni said. "It's not going to change anybody's role. We're still looking for the right combinations . . . It is a possibility, it's just not written in stone yet. I just don't know."
The Knicks were humiliated by the Miami Heat, 115-93, on Wednesday in a game in which they shot 37.9 percent, took what D'Antoni said were "too many" three-point shots (39) and offered nothing in the character department after they grumbled about being picked to finish last in the Eastern Conference earlier in the week.
But aside from bravado, what's ailing the Knicks' offense can be summed up in a comment made by D'Antoni last season when he was asked if his team had enough shooters. "I don't need shooters," he said, "I need makers."
At least Danilo Gallinari appeared to finally rediscover his stroke in the second half. He hit 7 of 13 from downtown for a career-high 22 points. Gallinari came off the bench in the opener, but if he continues to splash jumpers Friday night, that soon might change.
What it could mean is Jared Jeffries or possibly Wilson Chandler, still not quite 100 percent after offseason ankle surgery, going to the bench. But Chandler is considered part of the team's future and Jeffries gives D'Antoni some defensive versatility.
His other option includes a potentially troublesome decision to move small forward Al Harrington (5-for-14, 15 points against Miami) to the bench. Harrington, who is in a contract year, might not embrace that role.
D'Antoni, who last season exiled Stephon Marbury from the start, already has eliminated Larry Hughes from the rotation.
Notes & quotes: Nate Robinson brushed off his 0-for-8 shooting against Miami and pointed to a more important need for the team to "play with a chip on their shoulder . . . we've got to come out being feisty. Everybody on the team's got to be Tasmanian devils even if that's not your character. You've got to find it. That's something we've got to do." . . . Darko Milicic suffered a bruised knee late in Wednesday's game but practiced Thursday with no issues.
